Search suggestion management device, search suggestion management system, search suggestion management method and program

Abstract

To provide a technology that performs search suggestion effectively utilizing a searching skill.SOLUTION: A search suggestion management device comprises: a search log acquisition unit that acquires a search log of a user; a score calculation unit that calculates a score based on a search action of the user for search query candidates including one or more search queries input by the user; a suggestion index generation unit that generates suggestion index information in which the search query candidates, the user and the score are associated with each other; a teacher object identification unit that identifies a teacher object under which other user learns in searching; and a suggestion extraction unit that, when the query input from the other user is acquired, extracts the search query candidate using the user of the teacher object, the input search queries, and the score, from out of the suggestion index information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a search suggestion management device, a search suggestion management system, a search suggestion management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There are various techniques for presenting candidates for a search query in order to assist a user who performs a search in inputting the search query.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a search suggestion technique. In paragraph

[0095] , it is described that "the search suggestion device of the present embodiment can appropriately suggest (propose) search query candidates according to the user attributes (including access rights, etc.) of the user who inputs the search query. That is, for documents that are not permitted to be accessed according to the user attributes, search query candidates are not displayed unnecessarily."

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When presenting candidates for a search query, if search query candidates that meet the user's wishes can be presented, it contributes to improving the search efficiency. On the other hand, there are situations where skills are required to come up with an appropriate search query. In particular, in the context of knowledge sharing where technical information is shared, it is desirable to effectively utilize the search techniques of those with skills.

[0006] The search suggestion technique shown in Patent Document 1 presents search query candidates according to the user's access rights and does not assume the utilization of the search techniques of those with skills.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for performing search suggestions that effectively utilize search skills.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] This application includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. If an example is given, it is as follows.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a search suggestion management device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a search log acquisition unit that acquires a user's search log, and a search query candidate that includes one or more search queries input by the user. A score calculation unit that calculates a score based on the user's search behavior, a suggestion index generation unit that generates suggestion index information associating the search query candidate, the user, and the score, and a mentor target identification unit that identifies a mentor target that other users look up to in a search. When acquiring a search query input from the other user, a suggestion extraction unit that extracts the search query candidate from the suggestion index information using the user of the mentor target, the input search query, and the score. It is characterized by comprising.

[0010] The search suggestion management device includes a search success / failure determination unit that refers to the search log and determines whether the user's search behavior was successful. The score calculation unit calculates the score to be higher for the search query candidate related to the successful search behavior than for the other search query candidates. It may be characterized by this.

[0011] The search log includes information output as a search result and an operation log for the information. The search success / failure determination unit determines that the search behavior that led to obtaining the search result was successful when the operation log satisfies a predetermined search success condition. It may be characterized by this.

[0012] The score calculation unit refers to the search log, generates search behavior information associating one or more input operations with the search behavior of 1, and when calculating the score for the search query candidate, if there are other input operations related to the same search behavior as the input operation related to the search query candidate, the score may be calculated according to the other input operations.

[0013] The suggestion extraction unit may be characterized by associating and outputting a sequence based on the score for the extracted search query candidate.

[0014] The search log acquisition unit acquires the search log including at least one of the search target period or the search target category. When there is an input of at least one of the search target period or the search target category, the score calculation unit calculates the score for the combination of the search query candidate and at least one of the search target period or the search target category with the input. When the search target period or the search target category is associated with the search query candidate extracted using the score, the suggestion extraction unit may be characterized by outputting the related search target period or the search target category together with the search query candidate.

[0015] The search suggestion management device includes a deletion information identification unit that identifies deletion information deleted from the information to be searched. The suggestion extraction unit may be characterized by suppressing the extraction of the search query candidate that searched for the deletion information when the operation log related to the deletion information satisfies the search success condition.

[0016] Also, to solve the above problems, a search suggestion management system according to another aspect of the present invention is a search suggestion management system having a terminal device, a search server device, and a search suggestion management device that are communicably connected to each other, wherein the terminal device includes a search request unit that receives an input of a search query from a user and transmits a search request to the search server device, and an output unit that receives and displays search query candidates from the search suggestion management device, the search server device includes a search unit that searches for information to be searched using the search query related to the search request, the search suggestion management device includes a search log acquisition unit that acquires the search log of the user, a score calculation unit that calculates a score based on the search behavior of the user for a search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user, a suggestion index generation unit that generates suggestion index information associating the search query candidate, the user, and the score, a mentorship target identification unit that identifies a mentorship target that other users look up to during a search, and a suggestion extraction unit that, when acquiring a search query input by the other user, extracts the search query candidate using the user of the mentorship target, the input search query, and the score from the suggestion index information, and the output unit of the terminal device is characterized by displaying the search query candidate extracted by the suggestion extraction unit of the search suggestion management device.

[0017] Also, to solve the above problems, a search suggestion management method according to another aspect of the present invention is a search suggestion management method by a search suggestion management device, including a search log acquisition procedure for acquiring a user's search log, a score calculation procedure for calculating a score based on the user's search behavior for a search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user, a suggestion index generation procedure for generating suggestion index information associating the search query candidate, the user, and the score, a mentorship target identification unit for identifying a mentorship target that another user mentors during a search, and a suggestion extraction procedure for extracting the search query candidate from the suggestion index information using the mentorship target user, the input search query, and the score when acquiring a search query input by the other user. It is characterized by comprising these steps.

[0018] Also, to solve the above problems, a program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a processing unit of a computer to execute a search suggestion management method, including a search log acquisition procedure for acquiring a user's search log, a score calculation procedure for calculating a score based on the user's search behavior for a search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user, a suggestion index generation procedure for generating suggestion index information associating the search query candidate, the user, and the score, a mentorship target identification unit for identifying a mentorship target that another user mentors during a search, and a suggestion extraction procedure for extracting the search query candidate from the suggestion index information using the mentorship target user, the input search query, and the score when acquiring a search query input by the other user. It is characterized by causing these steps to be executed.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for performing search suggestions that effectively utilize search skills.

[0020] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

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Figure 11

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Figure 13

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the outline of a search suggestion management system 1. The search suggestion management system 1 in the present embodiment includes a search suggestion management device 100, a search server device 200, and a terminal device 300, and each device is communicably connected to each other.

[0023] The search suggestion management device 100 is a server computer, a PC, or the like, and presents search query candidates to a user who performs a search. The search server device 200 is a server computer, a PC, or the like, and searches for document index information 221 to be searched in response to a search request from the terminal device 300, and outputs a search result. The terminal device 300 is a PC, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook computer, a tablet terminal, or the like, and is operated by a user.

[0024] First, when a user inputs a search query into the search window 351 of the terminal device 300, the terminal device 300 transmits the search query to the search suggestion management device 100 (FIG. 1(1)). Also, the user inputs information indicating another user who is the object of learning for the search to the terminal device 300. As an example, the object of learning is a person who can be a reference for the user when performing a search. The terminal device 300 transmits the object of learning to the search suggestion management device 100 (FIG. 1(2)).

[0025] The search suggestion management device 100 receives the search query transmitted from the terminal device 300 (FIG. 1(3)). Then, the search suggestion management device 100 refers to the suggestion index information 123 described later, and uses the received search query, other users who are the object of learning, and the score calculated based on the search behavior of the user who is the object of learning, and extracts search query candidates to be presented to the terminal device 300 as suggestions (FIG. 1(4)).

[0026] After that, the search suggestion management device 100 transmits the extracted suggestions to the terminal device 300 (Fig. 1(5)). Hereinafter, the processes from "(3) Search query reception" to "(5) Suggestion response" executed by the search suggestion management device 100 will be described as suggestion providing processes. When the terminal device 300 receives the suggestions, search query candidates are displayed on the terminal device 300.

[0027] The user of the terminal device 300 determines a search query for executing a search with reference to the displayed search query candidates, enters it into the search window 351, and presses the search button. That is, the terminal device 300 receives an input operation of a search instruction regarding the determined search query. In response to the input operation of the search instruction, the terminal device 300 transmits a search request to the search server device 200 (Fig. 1(6)). The search server device 200 extracts a document corresponding to the search query from the document index information 221, and transmits information for specifying the extracted document to the terminal device 300 as a search result (Fig. 1(7)). The terminal device 300 receives an input operation such as a selection operation or a browsing operation regarding the extracted document.

[0028] The search server device 200 transmits a search log recording the processes performed in response to the search request from the terminal device 300 to the search suggestion management device 100 (Fig. 1(8)). The search suggestion management device 100 refers to the search log and determines whether the user's search behavior was successful (Fig. 1(9)). The search suggestion management device 100 calculates a score for each search query candidate based on the user's search behavior (Fig. 1(10)).

[0029] Note that the search suggestion management device 100 calculates a higher score for the search query candidates constituting a successful search behavior than for other search query candidates. Thereby, a high score can be given to the search query when the user to be modeled succeeds in the search. The higher the score, the more appropriate it is treated as a search result to be presented to the user. Thereby, the user performing the search can refer to the search behavior when the modeled user succeeds in the search.

[0030] The search suggestion management device 100 generates suggestion index information 123 by associating a user who has performed a search with a score for each search query candidate (indexing: Fig. 1(11)). Hereinafter, the processes from "(8) Log reception" to "(11) Indexing" executed by the search suggestion management device 100 will be described as suggestion index generation processes.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the search suggestion management system 1. The search suggestion management device 100, the search server device 200, and the terminal device 300 are connected via the network N. Note that the search suggestion management system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 300 including the terminal device 300 of the user who performs the search and the terminal device 300 of the user who is the target of the search.

[0032] The search suggestion management device 100 includes a processing unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, and a communication unit 150. The processing unit 110 comprehensively controls the entire search suggestion management device 100. The storage unit 120 stores information necessary for the processing of the processing unit 110. The input unit 130 receives input of information to the search suggestion management device 100 from an input device connected via an input IF14 described later. The output unit 140 outputs the information stored in the search suggestion management device 100 to an output device connected via an output IF15 described later. The communication unit 150 mediates transmission and reception of information with the search server device 200 and the terminal device 300.

[0033] The processing unit 110 includes a search log acquisition unit 111, a search success / failure determination unit 112, a score calculation unit 113, a suggestion index generation unit 114, a target teacher identification unit 115, and a suggestion extraction unit 116. The search log acquisition unit 111 acquires the search log transmitted from the terminal device 300. The search log includes information for identifying the document output by the search server device 200 as a search result and the operation log for the document. The search log acquisition unit 111 generates the search history information 121 described later using the acquired search log.

[0034] The search success / failure determination unit 112 refers to the search history information 121 generated from the search log and determines whether the user's search action was successful. When the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the operation log included in the search log satisfies a predetermined search success condition, it determines that the search action leading to obtaining the search result was successful. For example, when the document output as the search result is viewed for a predetermined time or more, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search action was successful. Alternatively, when the document is scrolled to the end, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search action was successful. Alternatively, when the terminal device 300 receives an input operation indicating search success, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search action was successful. Note that the search success condition is not limited to this example.

[0035] The score calculation unit 113 calculates a score for a search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user based on the user's search action. The score calculation unit 113 refers to the search log and generates the search action information 122 described later, which associates one or more input operations with one search action. For example, the score calculation unit 113 calculates the score for the search query candidate related to the successful search action to be higher than that of other search query candidates. Also for example, when calculating the score for a search query candidate, if there are other input operations related to the same search action as the input operation related to the search query candidate, the score calculation unit 113 calculates the score according to the other input operation.

[0036] The suggestion index generation unit 114 generates suggestion index information 123 that associates a search query candidate including the search query obtained by the search log acquisition unit 111, the user who performed the search, and a score.

[0037] The mentorship target identification unit 115 identifies another user who is the mentorship target of the user who performs the search. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the mentorship target identification unit 115 identifies the mentorship target input to the terminal device 300. Note that the mentorship target identification unit 115 may refer to mentorship information (not shown) stored in the storage unit 120 to identify the mentorship target of the user who performs the search. As an example, the mentorship information is organization information, and the practical mentor (instructor) of the user who performs the search can be set as the mentorship target.

[0038] When the suggestion extraction unit 116 acquires a search query input from a user to the terminal device 300, the suggestion extraction unit 116 extracts a search query candidate from the suggestion index information 123 using another user who is the mentorship target, the input search query, and a score. For example, the suggestion extraction unit 116 associates an order based on the score with the extracted search query candidate and transmits it to the terminal device 300. For example, the suggestion extraction unit 116 may extract a predetermined number of search query candidates based on the score.

[0039] The storage unit 120 stores search history information 121, search behavior information 122, and suggestion index information 123. The search history information 121 is information generated using a search log and records the input operations received by the terminal device 300. The search behavior information 122 is information generated based on the search history information 121, and one or more input operations are associated with one search behavior. The suggestion index information 123 is information in which a search query candidate presented to a user who performs the search, the user, and a score calculated based on the user's search behavior are associated.

[0040] The search server device 200 includes a processing unit 210, a storage unit 220, an input unit 230, an output unit 240, and a communication unit 250. The processing unit 210 comprehensively controls the entire search server device 200. The storage unit 220 stores information necessary for the processing of the processing unit 210. The input unit 230 receives the input of information from the input device to the search server device 200. The output unit 240 outputs the information stored in the search server device 200 to the output device. The communication unit 250 mediates the transmission and reception of information with the search suggestion management device 100 and the terminal device 300.

[0041] The processing unit 210 includes a search unit 211. The search unit 211 searches for document index information 221, which is a list of documents to be searched, in response to a search request from the terminal device 300, and extracts, as search results, information for specifying documents corresponding to the search query included in the search request. Since known means are used for the search of the document index information 221 by the search unit 211, the description thereof is omitted.

[0042] The storage unit 220 stores the document index information 221. The document index information 221 is information including a list of documents to be searched in the search server device 200. As an example, the documents included in the document index information 221 are knowledge information shared by each user. In the present embodiment, the search target is not limited to documents, and any searchable information may be used. For the sake of convenience, an example in which the search target is a document is used for explanation.

[0043] The terminal device 300 includes a processing unit 310, an input unit 320, an output unit 330, and a communication unit 340. The processing unit 310 comprehensively controls the entire terminal device 300. The input unit 320 receives the input of information from the input device to the terminal device 300. The output unit 330 outputs the information stored in the terminal device 300 to the output device. The output unit 330 displays a search screen including search query candidates extracted by the search suggestion management device 100. The communication unit 340 mediates the transmission and reception of information with the search suggestion management device 100 and the search server device 200.

[0044] The processing unit 310 includes a search request unit 311. The search request unit 311 receives an input of a search query from the user and sends a search request to the search server device 200.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the search history information 121. The search history information 121 is information generated based on a search log received from the terminal device 300. It has a user ID 121a, a search date and time 121b, a search query 121c, a search result 121d, a selected document 121e, a browsing start date and time 121f, a browsing end date and time 121g, and an operation log 121h.

[0046] The user ID 121a is identification information for identifying the user of the terminal device 300. The search date and time 121b is information indicating the date and time when the user specified by the user ID 121a performed an input operation for a search instruction. The search query 121c is information indicating the search query that was input at the time of the search request. The search result 121d is information indicating the search result sent from the search server device 200 to the terminal device 300 in response to the search request sent from the terminal device 300 to the search server device 200.

[0047] The selected document 121e is information for specifying the document selected by the user from among the search results 121d. The browsing start date and time 121f is information indicating the date and time when browsing of the document related to the selected document 121e was started. The browsing end date and time 121g is information indicating the date and time when browsing of the document related to the selected document 121e was ended. The operation log 121h is information for specifying an operation on the document related to the selected document 121e. For example, the operation log 121h may be information capable of specifying whether the document was browsed to the end, or may be information for specifying that an input operation indicating the end of browsing of the document was received, or may be information for specifying that an input operation indicating the success of the search was received.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the search history information 121 is generated in response to an input operation to the terminal device 300. Note that since the browsing start date / time 121f and the browsing end date / time 121g are information corresponding to operations on the document, they can be treated as operation logs.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the search behavior information 122. The search behavior information 122 has a search behavior ID 122a, a user ID 122b, a search query 122c, a reference document 122d, and a success flag 122e. The search behavior information 122 is generated in response to a user's input operation.

[0050] The search behavior ID 122a is identification information for specifying a search behavior. The user ID 122b is identification information for specifying the user who performed the search. The search query 122c is information indicating the search query included in the search request. The reference document 122d is information indicating the document selected by the user from the search results. The success flag 122e is flag information for specifying whether the search was successful. For example, when the success flag 122e is "0", it indicates that the operation of searching for the reference document 122d was a failure, and when the success flag 122e is "1", it indicates that the operation of searching for the reference document 122d was successful.

[0051] Before the user starts a search and reaches the target document, one or more input operations are performed. In this embodiment, a series of input operations from the start to the end of the search is treated as one search behavior. In the search behavior information 122, one or more input operations on the terminal device 300 are associated with one search behavior ID 122a.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the suggestion index information 123. The suggestion index information 123 has a search query 123a, a user ID 123b, and a score 123c.

[0053] Search query 123a is information indicating a search query input by a user specified by user ID 123b, and is treated as a search query candidate. User ID 123b is information for identifying the user who performed the search. Score 123c is a numerical value calculated based on search behavior for search query 123a. As described above, the higher the numerical value of score 123c, the more appropriately it is treated as a search result to be presented.

[0054] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the search suggestion management device 100. The search suggestion management device 100 includes an arithmetic unit 11, a memory 12, an external storage device 13, an input IF (Interface) 14, an output IF 15, and a communication IF 16, and each component is connected by a bus.

[0055] The arithmetic unit 11 is a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes processing according to a program recorded in the memory 12 or the external storage device 13. In the search suggestion management device 100, processing is performed by the arithmetic unit 11 that operates according to a program read onto the memory 12 or the external storage device 13. The processing unit 110 realizes each function when the arithmetic unit 11 executes the program.

[0056] The memory 12 is a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, and functions as a storage area from which programs and data are temporarily read. The external storage device 13 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), a DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disk-Random Access Memory), etc., which are writable and readable storage media and storage media drive devices. The storage unit 120 has its function realized by the memory 12 or the external storage device 13. Note that the function of the storage unit 120 may be realized by a storage device connected via the communication IF 16.

[0057] The input IF14 is an interface for receiving input operations from an operator, and input devices such as a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, etc. are connected thereto. The output IF15 is an interface for outputting information to an output device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) built in the search suggestion management device 100.

[0058] The communication IF16 is an interface for connecting the search suggestion management device 100 to the network N, and is a communication device such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card. The search suggestion management device 100 may have a storage medium drive device (not shown) for inputting and outputting information from a portable medium.

[0059] Note that the processing of each component of the search suggestion management device 100 may be executed by one piece of hardware or by a plurality of pieces of hardware. Also, the processing of each component of the search suggestion management device 100 may be realized by one program or by a plurality of programs. Further, one or a plurality of processes performed by the search suggestion management device 100 may be executed in a distributed manner on physically separated hardware connected by communication means.

[0060] Since the hardware configurations of the search server device 200 and the terminal device 300 are the same as those of the search suggestion management device 100, the description thereof is omitted.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a search behavior information generation process. This process is started when the search suggestion management device 100 receives information indicating that a search query has been input to a search screen displayed on the terminal device 300, for example. Note that this process may be executed periodically in the search suggestion management device 100, for example.

[0062] First, the search log acquisition unit 111 receives a search log (step S101). Specifically, the search log acquisition unit 111 receives the search log transmitted from the terminal device 300. The search log acquisition unit 111 generates the search history information 121 shown in FIG. 3 using the acquired search log.

[0063] Next, the search success / failure determination unit 112 identifies a record with a newer search date and time among the unconfirmed records (step S102). Specifically, the search success / failure determination unit 112 identifies one record that has not yet undergone the processing shown in this figure and has the newest search date and time 121b from among the records included in the search history information 121.

[0064] Next, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines whether a document has been selected (step S103). Specifically, the search success / failure determination unit 112 refers to the selected document 121e of the record selected in step S102 and determines whether an input operation to select a document has been received. The search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that a document has been selected when there is information indicating a document in the selected document 121e.

[0065] When the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that a document has been selected (when "YES" in step S103), the search success / failure determination unit 112 refers to the operation log of the selected document (step S104). Specifically, the score calculation unit 113 refers to the browsing start date and time 121f, the browsing end date and time 121g, and the operation log 121h of the record selected in step S102.

[0066] Next, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines whether the search success condition is satisfied (step S105). Specifically, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines whether the operation log referred to in step S104 satisfies a predetermined search success condition. For example, the search success / failure determination unit 112 calculates the document viewing time using the viewing start date / time 121f and the viewing end date / time 121g, and determines that the search success condition is satisfied when the viewing time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Alternatively, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search success condition is satisfied when there is an operation log indicating that the document has been scrolled to the end. Alternatively, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search success condition is satisfied when there is an operation log that has received an input operation indicating that the document for the search purpose has been presented as a search result. Note that the search success condition is not limited to this example.

[0067] When the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search success condition is not satisfied (in the case of "NO" in step S105), the score calculation unit 113 generates search behavior information 122 in association with a failure flag (step S106). Specifically, the score calculation unit 113 associates the user ID 121a of the search history information 121 selected in step S102, the search query 122c, and the selected document 121e with the user ID 122b, the search query 122c, and the reference document 122d, respectively, and generates a record of the search behavior information 122 in which the success flag 122e is information indicating failure. Note that the search behavior ID 122a of the generated record does not include information indicating the search behavior.

[0068] In step S105, when the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search success condition is satisfied (when "YES" in step S105), the score calculation unit 113 generates search action information 122 while associating a success flag (step S107). Specifically, the score calculation unit 113 associates the user ID 121a of the search history information 121 selected in step S102, the search query 122c, and the selected document 121e with the user ID 122b, the search query 122c, and the reference document 122d respectively, and generates a record of the search action information 122 with the success flag 122e being information indicating success. Note that the search action ID 122a of the generated record does not include information indicating the search action.

[0069] In step S103, when the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that no document is selected (when "NO" in step S103), the search success / failure determination unit 112 advances the process to step S109.

[0070] After step S106, or after step S107, or when it is determined as "NO" in step S103, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines whether there is an unconfirmed record (step S109). Specifically, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines whether there is a record in the search history information 121 generated in step S101 that has not been specified in step S102. When the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that there is an unconfirmed record (when "YES" in step S109), the search success / failure determination unit 112 shifts the process to step S102.

[0071] When the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that there are no unconfirmed records (when "NO" in step S109), the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines whether the search has ended (step S110). Specifically, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines whether the search history information 121 satisfies a predetermined search end condition. For example, when referring to the search action information 122, if there is a record where the search action ID 122a is not assigned and the success flag 122e indicates success information, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the user has reached the target document and satisfies the search end condition.

[0072] Also, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the search date and time 121b of the latest record in the search history information 121, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search end condition is satisfied. Also, for example, when referring to the search history information 121 and the operation log 121h indicating an input operation to close the search screen is included, the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search end condition is satisfied. Note that the search end condition is not limited to the examples shown here.

[0073] When the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search has not ended (when "NO" in step S110), the process returns to step S109.

[0074] When the search success / failure determination unit 112 determines that the search has ended (when "YES" in step S110), the score calculation unit 113 assigns a search action ID to the generated search action information 122 (step S111). Specifically, the score calculation unit 113 assigns a common search action ID 122a to the records of the one or more search action information 122 generated in steps S106 and S107. Thereafter, the processing unit 110 of the search suggestion management device 100 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the suggestion index generation process. This process is executed, for example, when the search action information generation process shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0076] First, the suggestion index generation unit 114 identifies the search action ID to be processed (step S201). Specifically, the suggestion index generation unit 114 refers to the search action information 122 and identifies one search action ID 122a to be processed. As described above, one or more records are associated with one search action ID 122a. That is, it can be said that one or more input operations are associated with one search action in the search action information 122.

[0077] Next, the suggestion index generation unit 114 calculates a score for each record associated with the search action ID according to a predetermined rule (step S202).

[0078] As an example, the suggestion index generation unit 114 refers to the success flag 122e of each record associated with the search action ID 122a identified in step S201, and treats the search action as successful if it contains one or more pieces of information indicating success. In that case, the suggestion index generation unit 114 assigns a higher score to the search query 122c of each record constituting the successful search action than to other search queries.

[0079] In this case, the suggestion index generation unit 114 can assign a score to each search query 122c by dividing the score predetermined to be assigned to the successful search action by the number of records associated with the search action. For example, assuming that a score of "100" is assigned to the successful search action, and "search action A" includes "record a", "record b", "record c", and "record d", and "record a", "record b", and "record c" have a failure flag, and "record d" has a success flag. In this case, a score of "25" can be assigned to the search query of each of "record a", "record b", "record c", and "record d".

[0080] In addition, the suggestion index generation unit 114 may assign the highest score to the search query of the record including the success flag 122e among the records constituting the successful search actions, and assign relatively low scores to other search queries. In the above example, a score of "40" can be assigned to the search query of "record d", and a score of "20" can be assigned to each of the search queries of "record a", "record b", and "record c".

[0081] Also, for example, among the records constituting the successful search actions, the suggestion index generation unit 114 may treat the search queries included in the records where the success flag 122e is a failure as those gradually approaching success, and assign higher scores as the time series gets later. In the above example, when the search dates and times are newer in the order of "record a", "record b", "record c", and "record d", the score of "record d" with a success flag can be set to "50", and the flags of "record c", "record b", and "record a" with a failure flag can be set to "30", "15", and "5" respectively. That is, when there are a plurality of input operations related to the same search action, scores can be calculated according to other input operations.

[0082] In addition, the suggestion index generation unit 114 can assign different scores to a plurality of successful search actions. For example, among the plurality of search action IDs 122a having information indicating success in the success flag 122e, the suggestion index generation unit 114 can assign a higher score to the one that obtained the target search result more efficiently as the number of reference documents 122d is smaller. That is, it is explained using the case where there are "search action A" and "search action B" each having a success flag, and the number of reference documents 122d associated with "search action A" is smaller than that associated with "search action B". In that case, a score of "100" can be assigned to "search action A", and a score of "70" can be assigned to "search action B". Then, the scores assigned to the search actions are distributed to the search queries constituting each search action.

[0083] For example, among a plurality of search action IDs 122a having information indicating success in the success flag 122e, the suggestion index generation unit 114 can assign a higher score as the number of different search queries 122c is smaller, that is, as the number of times the search query is changed is smaller. For example, the suggestion index generation unit 114 can refer to the search history information 121 for each search action to identify the required time, and can assign a higher score to a search action with a shorter required time.

[0084] Note that the suggestion index generation unit 114 may assign a lower score to a search action without a success flag than to a search action with a success flag, or may not assign a score to a search action without a success flag. In other words, the score assignment method of the suggestion index generation unit 114 is not limited to this example. Any method that assigns a high score to a search action and search query worth referring to is acceptable.

[0085] Next, the suggestion index generation unit 114 generates suggestion index information 123 associating the search query included in the record, the score, and the user ID (step S203). Specifically, the suggestion index generation unit 114 generates a record of the suggestion index information 123 associating the search query 122c included in the record of the search action information 122 for which the score was calculated in step S202, the user ID 122b, and the calculated score as the search query 123a, the user ID 123b, and the score 123c, respectively. Then, the suggestion index generation unit 114 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0086] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine that the search actions leading to successful search results are successful and appropriately assign scores to the input operations constituting the search actions. Further, following the search action information generation process shown in FIG. 7, if a process of generating the suggestion index information 123 shown in FIG. 8 is performed, the suggestion index information 123 is generated when the successful search action ends. As a result, the search actions of the user to be mentored can be more quickly utilized for suggestion provision.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a suggestion provision process.

[0088] First, the suggestion extraction unit 116 acquires a search query (step S301). When the search request unit 311 of the terminal device 300 receives an input operation of a search query by the user, the search request unit 311 transmits a search request including the search query to the search suggestion management device 100. The suggestion extraction unit 116 acquires the search query included in the search request.

[0089] Next, the mentorship target identification unit 115 identifies the mentorship target (step S302). The search request unit 311 of the terminal device 300 receives an input operation of information for identifying the mentorship target by the user and transmits it to the search suggestion management device 100. The mentorship target identification unit 115 identifies the mentorship target transmitted from the terminal device 300. As described above, instead of receiving the mentorship target from the terminal device 300, the mentorship target identification unit 115 may refer to mentorship information (not shown) and identify the mentorship target of the user who performs the search.

[0090] Next, the suggestion extraction unit 116 refers to the suggestion index information 123 and extracts records (step S303). Specifically, the suggestion extraction unit 116 extracts records of the suggestion index information 123 in which the master-disciple target identified in step S302 is included in the user ID 123b. The suggestion extraction unit 116 further extracts records that include the search query obtained in step S301 in the search query 123a from among the extracted records. Note that the suggestion extraction unit 116 may further extract a predetermined number of records with a high score 123c from among the extracted records of the suggestion index information 123.

[0091] Next, the suggestion extraction unit 116 associates an order with the search query candidates and transmits them to the terminal device 300 (step S304). Specifically, the suggestion extraction unit 116 associates an order based on the score 123c with the search query 123a included in the records extracted in step S303 and transmits them to the terminal device 300. For example, the suggestion extraction unit 116 sets an order for the search query so that the higher the score, the higher the order. Note that the suggestion extraction unit 116 may transmit the search query candidates to the terminal device 300 without associating an order. Thereafter, the processing unit 110 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0092] Incidentally, the output unit 330 of the terminal device 300 that has received the search query candidates displays a search screen including the search query candidates. For example, the output unit 330 displays the search query candidates according to the order. As an example, the output unit 330 displays the search query candidates at different positions in the search window 351 so that the higher the order, the higher the position.

[0093] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the search screen 350. FIG. 11(A) is an example of the search screen 350 in the present embodiment, FIG. 11(B) is an example of the search screen 350 (part 1) in the first modification, and FIG. 11(C) is an example of the search screen 350 (part 2) in the first modification.

[0094] The search screen 350 shown in FIG. 11(A) includes a search window 351, a search button 352, and a search query candidate display area 353. The search window 351 is an area for receiving input of a search query by the user. The search button 352 is an operation button for receiving an input operation of a search instruction for the search query input in the search window 351. The search query candidate display area 353 is an area for displaying search query candidates received by the terminal device 300 from the search suggestion management device 100.

[0095] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to extract a search query that utilizes the search behavior of the user being tutored and present it to the user who performs the search, thereby effectively utilizing the search skills of the user. For example, by performing suggestion management according to the present embodiment in an organization that shares knowledge information, the search behavior of excellent users can be used as a reference for other users, and the work efficiency of the entire organization can be improved.

[0096] <First Modification Example>

[0097] Next, the search suggestion management system 1 in the first modification example will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0098] The search log acquisition unit 111 in this modification example acquires a search log including at least one of a search target period or a search target category together with the search query. The score calculation unit 113 in this modification example calculates a score for a combination of the input search query and at least one of the input search target period or the search target category when the search log includes the search target period or the search target category.

[0099] In addition, when the search target period or the search target category is associated with the search query candidates extracted using the score, the suggestion extraction unit 116 in this modification example transmits the search target period or the search target category to the terminal device 300 together with the extracted search candidates.

[0100] FIG. 11(B) is a search screen 350 in the first modified example, and is an example of the search screen 350 in which no search query has been input yet. As shown in FIG. 11(B), the search screen 350 in the first modified example has, in addition to the search window 351, a search target period input area 354 and a search target category input area 355.

[0101] When the user inputs a search query into the search window 351 and inputs a search target period into the search target period input area 354 or inputs a search target category into the search target category input area 355, the search request unit 311 transmits a search request including the input information to the search server device 200. The search unit 211 of the search server device 200 searches for documents corresponding to the search request from among the document index information 221 and transmits the search results to the terminal device 300.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the suggestion index information 123 in the first modified example. The suggestion index information 123 in this modified example includes, in addition to the search query 123a, the user ID 123b, and the score 123c, a period specification 123d and a category 123e. The period specification 123d is the search target period input into the search target period input area 354. The category 123e is information indicating the search target category input into the search target category input area 355.

[0103] When the information is included in at least one of the period specification 123d or the category 123e, the score 123c is a numerical value calculated for the combination of the search query 123a and at least one of the period specification 123d or the category 123e. When transmitting the extracted search query candidates to the terminal device 300 in step S304 of the above-described suggestion providing process, the suggestion extraction unit 116 in this modification determines whether at least one of the period specification 123d or the category 123e is associated with the search query candidates extracted in the suggestion index information 123. When the period specification 123d or the category 123e is associated, the suggestion extraction unit 116 transmits the search target period or the search target category to the terminal device 300 together with the search query candidates.

[0104] FIG. 11(C) is an example of the search screen 350 in the first modification, and is an example of the search screen 350 when the terminal device 300 receives search query candidates from the search suggestion management device 100. The search query candidate display area 353 in the first modification includes a search target period display area 3531 and a search target category display area 3532.

[0105] The search target period display area 3531 is an area for displaying the search target period included in the period specification 123d when the period specification 123d is associated with the search query 123a displayed in the search query candidate display area 353 in the suggestion index information 123. The search target category display area 3532 is an area for displaying the search target category included in the category 123e when the category 123e is associated with the search query 123a displayed in the search query candidate display area 353 in the suggestion index information 123.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 11(C), the search target period or the search target category is associated and displayed for the search query candidates displayed in the search query candidate display area 353. Note that the information displayed in the search target period display area 3531 or the search target category display area 3532 may be displayed in a color different from that of the search query candidates.

[0107] Incidentally, when the user selects a search query candidate displayed in the search query candidate display area 353, if a search target period or a search target category is associated with the selected search query candidate, the relevant search target period is input into the search target period display area 3531, and the relevant search target category is input into the search target category input area 355, respectively.

[0108] According to this modification, when the user to be apprenticed inputs a search target period or a search target category and succeeds in the search, the user can recognize the search target period or the search target category input by the user to be apprenticed. In addition, since the search target period or the search target category is input when the user selects a search query candidate, the efficiency of performing a search with reference to the user to be apprenticed is improved.

[0109] Note that the search unit 211 of the search server device 200 narrows down the document index based on the information input in the search target period input area 354 and the search target category input area 355, and performs a search using the character string of the search query. The search suggestion management device in this modification only needs to present, as a suggestion, a search query for searching using a character string and information for narrowing down the document index to the terminal device 300, and the presented information is not limited to the search target period and the search target category.

[0110] <Second Modification>

[0111] Next, the search suggestion management system 1 in the second modification will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0112] FIG. 12 is an example of the functional blocks of the search suggestion management system 1 in the second modification. The search suggestion management apparatus 100 in the second modification includes a search log acquisition unit 111, a search success / failure determination unit 112, a score calculation unit 113, a suggestion index generation unit 114, a teacher target identification unit 115, a suggestion extraction unit 116, and a deletion information identification unit 117.

[0113] The deletion information identification unit 117 identifies deletion information deleted from the information to be searched. Specifically, the deletion information identification unit 117 acquires, from the search unit 211 of the search server apparatus 200, deletion information that is information for identifying a document deleted from the document index information 221 of the search server apparatus 200.

[0114] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the suggestion index generation process in the second modification. The suggestion index generation process in this figure is executed, for example, periodically in the search suggestion management apparatus 100.

[0115] First, the deletion information identification unit 117 identifies the deleted document (step S2001). Specifically, the deletion information identification unit 117 receives, from the search unit 211 of the search server apparatus 200, deletion information for identifying the deleted document. The process performed in step S201 is the same as step S201 of the suggestion index generation process in FIG. 8.

[0116] Next, the suggestion index generation unit 114 determines whether a record including the identified document and a success flag exists in the search behavior information 122. Specifically, the suggestion index generation unit 114 refers to the search behavior information 122 and determines whether there is a record in which the document identified in step S2001 is included in the reference document 122d and the success flag 122e indicates success.

[0117] When the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 determines that a record including the identified document and the success flag exists in the search behavior information 122 (when "YES" in step S2011), the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 deletes the corresponding record (step S2012). Specifically, the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 deletes the record determined to exist in step S2011 from the search behavior information 122. As a result, the generation of the suggestion index information 123 is suppressed for the search query candidates for which the deletion information was searched.

[0118] After step S2012, or in step S2011, when the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 determines that a record including the identified document and the success flag does not exist in the search behavior information 122 (when "NO" in step S2011), the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 proceeds to step S202. The processes of step S202 and step S203 are the same as the suggestion index generation process shown in FIG. 8.

[0119] Next, the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 determines whether there is an unprocessed search behavior ID (step S2031). Specifically, the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 determines whether there is a search behavior ID in the search behavior information 122 that has not yet been identified as a search behavior ID to be processed in step S201.

[0120] When the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 determines that there is an unprocessed search behavior ID (when "YES" in step S2031), the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 returns the process to step S201. Thereafter, in step S201, an unprocessed search behavior ID is selected.

[0121] When the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 determines that there is no unprocessed search behavior ID (when "NO" in step S2031), the Suggestion Index Generation Unit 114 ends the process of this flowchart.

[0122] As described above, in this modification example, when the information in the document index information 221 is deleted, the generation of the search action information 122 regarding the search query candidate determined to be successful in the search for the document is suppressed. In other words, when the operation log related to the deletion information satisfies the search success condition, the suggestion extraction unit 116 suppresses the extraction of the search query candidate that searched for the deletion information. That is, when presenting search query candidates to the user, the suggestion of the search query candidate related to the deleted document is suppressed.

[0123] Therefore, when a document is deleted, it can be reflected in the suggestion of the search query candidate, improving the immediate responsiveness regarding the situation and being efficient. That is, even when a document is deleted, the search skills can be effectively utilized to suggest appropriate search query candidates.

[0124] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to an example of the above-described embodiments and includes various modification examples. For example, an example of the above-described embodiments has been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to having all the configurations described here. Also, a part of the configuration of an example of an embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another example. Also, the configuration of another example can be added to the configuration of an example of an embodiment. Also, for a part of the configuration of an example of each embodiment, addition, deletion, or replacement with other configurations can be performed. Also, the above-described respective configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in hardware by designing a part or all of them, for example, by an integrated circuit. Also, the control lines and information lines in the figures show those considered necessary for explanation and do not necessarily show all of them. It may be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected.

[0125] In addition, the functional configurations of the above-described search suggestion management device 100, search server device 200, and terminal device 300 are classified according to the main processing contents for easy understanding. The present invention is not limited by the classification method or name of the components. As described above, the configurations of the search suggestion management device 100, search server device 200, and terminal device 300 can be further classified into more components according to the processing contents. Also, one component can be classified to execute more processes.

Explanation of Signs

[0126] 1: Search suggestion management system, 11: Arithmetic device, 12: Memory, 13: External storage device, 14: Input IF, 15: Output IF, 16: Communication IF, 100: Search suggestion management device, 110·210·310: Processing unit, 111: Search log acquisition unit, 112: Search success / failure determination unit, 113: Score calculation unit, 114: Suggestion index generation unit, 115: Target teacher identification unit, 116: Suggestion extraction unit, 117: Deletion information identification unit, 120·220: Storage unit, 121: Search history information, 122: Search behavior information, 123: Suggestion index information, 130·230·320: Input unit, 140·240·330: Output unit, 150·250·340: Communication unit, 200: Search server device, 211: Search unit, 221: Document index information, 300: Terminal device, 311: Search request unit, 350: Search screen, 351: Search window, 352: Search button, 353: Search query candidate display area, 354: Search target period input area, 355: Search target category input area, 3531: Search target period display area, 3532: Search target category display area, N: Network

Claims

1. A search log acquisition unit that acquires a user's search log; a score calculation unit that calculates a score for each search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user based on the search behavior of the user; a suggestion index generating unit that generates suggestion index information that associates the search query candidates, the users, and the scores; a study subject identification unit for identifying a study subject under which other users will study in the search; and a suggestion extraction unit that, when a search query input from the other user is obtained, extracts the search query candidates from the suggestion index information using the user to be trained, the input search query, and the score.

2. The search suggestion management device according to claim 1 , a search success / failure determination unit that refers to the search log and determines whether the user's search behavior is successful; The search suggestion management device, wherein the score calculation unit calculates the score for the search query candidate related to the successful search action to be higher than the scores for other search query candidates.

3. 3. The search suggestion management device according to claim 2, The search log includes information output as a search result and an operation log for the information, The search suggestion management device, characterized in that the search success determination unit determines that the search behavior leading to obtaining the search results was successful when the operation log satisfies a predetermined search success condition.

4. 4. The search suggestion management device according to claim 1, the score calculation unit references the search log and generates search behavior information in which one or more input operations are associated with one of the search behaviors; A search suggestion management device characterized in that, when calculating the score for the search query candidate, if there is another input operation associated with the same search behavior as the input operation related to the search query candidate, the score is calculated according to the other input operation.

5. 5. The search suggestion management device according to claim 1, The search suggestion management device, wherein the suggestion extraction unit outputs the extracted search query candidates in association with a ranking based on the score.

6. 6. The search suggestion management device according to claim 1, The search log acquisition unit acquires the search log including at least one of a search target period or a search target category, the score calculation unit, when at least one of the search target period or the search target category is input, calculates the score for a combination of the search query candidate and at least one of the input search target period or the input search target category; The search suggestion management device is characterized in that, when the search target period or the search target category is associated with the search query candidate extracted using the score, the suggestion extraction unit outputs the associated search target period or the search target category together with the search query candidate.

7. The search suggestion management device according to claim 3, a deletion information identifying unit that identifies information that has been deleted from information to be searched, The search suggestion management device is characterized in that the suggestion extraction unit suppresses extraction of the search query candidate that searched for the deletion information when the operation log related to the deletion information satisfies the search success condition.

8. A search suggestion management system including a terminal device, a search server device, and a search suggestion management device, which are communicatively connected to each other, The terminal device a search request unit that receives a search query input from a user and transmits a search request to the search server device; an output unit that receives and displays search query suggestions from the search suggestion management device; The search server device a search unit that searches for information to be searched using the search query related to the search request; The search suggestion management device, A search log acquisition unit that acquires a search log of the user; a score calculation unit that calculates a score for each search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user based on the search behavior of the user; a suggestion index generating unit that generates suggestion index information that associates the search query candidates, the users, and the scores; a study subject identification unit for identifying a study subject under which other users will study in the search; a suggestion extraction unit that, when a search query input from the other user is acquired, extracts the search query candidate from the suggestion index information by using the user to be trained, the input search query, and the score; The search suggestion management system according to claim 1, wherein an output unit of the terminal device displays the search query candidates extracted by the suggestion extraction unit of the search suggestion management system.

9. A search suggestion management method by a search suggestion management device, comprising: A procedure for acquiring a user's search log; a score calculation step of calculating a score for each search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user based on the search behavior of the user; a suggestion index generating step of generating suggestion index information that associates the search query candidates, the user, and the score; a study subject identification unit for identifying a study subject under which other users will study in the search; a suggestion extraction step of, when a search query input from the other user is obtained, extracting search query candidates from the suggestion index information using the user to be trained, the input search query, and the score.

10. A program for causing a processing unit of a computer to execute a search suggestion management method, A procedure for acquiring a user's search log; a score calculation step of calculating a score for each search query candidate including one or more search queries input by the user based on the search behavior of the user; a suggestion index generating step of generating suggestion index information that associates the search query candidates, the user, and the score; a study subject identification unit for identifying a study subject under which other users will study in the search; When a search query input from the other user is obtained, a suggestion extraction procedure is executed to extract search query candidates from the suggestion index information using the user to be trained, the input search query, and the score.

Images