Retrieval system, retrieval method, and retrieval program

Abstract

To efficiently retrieve data related to material research or development stored by a plurality of data formats.SOLUTION: A retrieval system includes: a material database for storing a plurality of document files related to a plurality of kinds of materials; a supplier database for storing supplier data related to a plurality of suppliers in a data table format; and at least one processor capable of accessing the material database and the supplier database. The at least one processor displays a portal site capable of receiving material retrieval and supplier retrieval on a user terminal, executes full text retrieval based on a retrieval condition about a material to the plurality of document files in the material retrieval, and executes record retrieval based on a retrieval condition about a supplier to the data table in the supplier retrieval.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a search system, a search method, and a search program.

Background Art

[0002] Computer systems that assist research or development using databases are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a research and development support system including one or more databases that store multiple types of data and information related to research and development, and a management system that accesses the one or more databases to perform information processing. The one or more databases store research and development related information, which is information related to the research and development of researchers, device related information, which is information related to the devices used in research and development, and usage history information, which is information on the usage history of devices by researchers. The management system generates and outputs information that supports research and development based on the usage history information, the device related information, and the research and development related information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A mechanism for efficiently searching data related to the research or development of materials stored in multiple data formats is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A search system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a material database that stores a plurality of document files related to a plurality of types of materials, at least a part of the plurality of document files being generated by optical character recognition, the material database, a supplier database that stores supplier data related to a plurality of suppliers in the form of a data table, and at least one processor accessible to the material database and the supplier database. The at least one processor displays, on a user terminal, a portal site capable of receiving both a material search for the material database and a supplier search for the supplier database, and in response to receiving, from the user terminal, search conditions related to a material in the material search, performs a full-text search based on the search conditions on the plurality of document files, and provides the user terminal with a search result indicating a document file corresponding to the search conditions. In response to receiving, from the user terminal, search conditions related to a supplier in the supplier search, the at least one processor performs a record search based on the search conditions on the data table, and provides the user terminal with a search result indicating a supplier corresponding to the search conditions.

[0006] In such an aspect, since searches for two databases with different data formats are provided by a common portal site, a simple access route to these databases can be provided to the user. On the other hand, in data search, since a search process according to the data format of each database is executed, appropriate search results can be provided to the user. With such a mechanism, data related to the research or development of materials stored in a plurality of data formats can be efficiently searched.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, data related to the research or development of materials stored in a plurality of data formats can be efficiently searched.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [Overview of the System] The search system according to the present disclosure is a computer system for searching data related to material research or development. The search system accesses a database that stores the data and extracts data corresponding to specified search conditions from the database. A user can obtain information for conducting material research or development by using this search system.

[0011] In one example, the search system has at least one search function among material search, supplier search, reagent search, and subsidiary material search. A material is an object used for manufacturing some product, for example, various organic compounds or inorganic compounds. A supplier is a subject capable of providing materials to others. Examples of suppliers include material manufacturers and material wholesalers. A reagent refers to a chemical substance used for detecting or quantifying substances by chemical methods, conducting experiments on substance synthesis, or measuring physical properties. A subsidiary material refers to equipment or consumables necessary for equipment maintenance, repair, or operation.

[0012] In one example, the search system displays on the user terminal a portal site capable of receiving each of two or more search functions. The portal site includes a user interface for providing the user with access to each of the two or more search functions. Therefore, if the user simply accesses this portal site, they can efficiently obtain the necessary information using two or more search functions.

[0013] In one example, in addition to or instead of the above search functions, the search system has a batch search function. Batch search refers to the process of searching each of a plurality of databases based on a common search condition, that is, the process of searching across a plurality of databases.

[0014] [Configuration of the System] The search system is composed of one or more computers. When a plurality of computers are used, they are connected via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet, thereby logically constructing a single search system.

[0015] The computers constituting the search system generally include a processor, a memory, and a communication interface as hardware devices. The processor is, for example, a CPU. The memory is composed of a storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk. Each functional module of the search system is realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory.

[0016] The search program for causing the computer to function as a search system includes program codes for realizing each functional module of the search system. This search program may be provided after being non-temporarily recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the search program may be provided via a communication network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave. The provided search program is recorded in the memory, for example.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a search system 1 according to an example. In this example, the search system 1 includes a server 10 that provides a portal site and a search function, and an internal database 20 that stores data related to materials technology. The server 10 is connected to the internal database 20 via a communication network. The server 10 may also be connected to an external database 30 via the communication network. The external database 30 is provided in a computer system different from the search system 1 and stores data related to materials technology. Further, the server 10 is connected to one or more user terminals 40 via the communication network. The communication network related to the search system 1 may be configured to include at least one of the Internet and an intranet.

[0018] The server 10 includes a processor 101 and a memory 102. The memory 102 stores page data that describes a web page of the portal site in a markup language. The processor 101 functions as a page management unit 11 and a search unit 12. The page management unit 11 is a functional module that reads page data corresponding to a request from the user terminal 40 from the memory 102 and displays a web page based on the page data on the user terminal 40. The search unit 12 is a functional module that searches the internal database 20 or the external database 30 based on search conditions received from the user terminal 40 and transmits the search results to the user terminal 40. The transmission of the search results to the user terminal 40 is an example of a process of providing the search results to the user terminal.

[0019] The internal database 20 includes a material database 21, a supplier database 22, and a sub-material database 23. The material database 21 is a device that non-temporarily stores material data related to materials. The supplier database 22 is a device that non-temporarily stores supplier data related to suppliers. The sub-material database 23 is a device that non-temporarily stores sub-material data related to sub-materials.

[0020] The external database 30 includes a reagent database 31. The reagent database 31 is a device that non-temporarily stores reagent data regarding reagents.

[0021] The user terminal 40 is a computer operated by a user of the search system 1. The user terminal 40 can be various computers such as a personal computer, a workstation, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a wearable terminal, etc.

[0022] In one example, the search system 1 provides a search function to the user terminal 40 by means of a web application. In this case, it can be said that various request signals transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the server 10 are HTTP requests, and various data transmitted from the server 10 to the user terminal 40 in response to the request signals are HTTP responses.

[0023] [Data Structure] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data structures of the material database 21 and the auxiliary material database 23. In one example, the material database 21 and the auxiliary material database 23 each store a plurality of document files in a directory structure. The directory structure shown in FIG. 2 includes a root directory 200 and at least one sub-directory 210 provided one level below the root directory 200. Each sub-directory 210 houses one or more document files 220. Although the directory structure shown in FIG. 2 is three levels, the directory structure may have two levels or four or more levels, or may have a more complex structure in which the hierarchical structure is different for each sub-directory.

[0024] A document file refers to the electronic data of a document containing one or more sentences. The document file 220 is generated so that the character strings in the file can be searched. For at least one of the material database 21 and the sub-material database 23, at least a part of the plurality of document files 220 can be generated by optical character recognition (OCR). For example, OCR is executed for each of a plurality of printed materials such as books, catalogs, and internal materials, and a document file 220 for each printed material is generated. Alternatively, for at least one of the material database 21 and the sub-material database 23, at least a part of the plurality of document files 220 may be generated by a document creation application. For the document files generated by the application, the character strings in the files are searchable from the beginning.

[0025] The material database 21 stores a plurality of document files 220 related to a plurality of types of materials. Each document file 220 may describe one type of material or two or more types of materials. The sub-material database 23 stores a plurality of document files 220 related to a plurality of types of sub-materials. Each document file 220 may describe one type of sub-material or two or more types of sub-materials. A document file 220 that describes one or more materials and one or more sub-materials may be stored in each of the material database 21 and the sub-material database 23.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the supplier database 22. As shown in this figure, the supplier database 22 stores supplier data related to a plurality of suppliers in a data table. A data table refers to a format in which data is represented by rows and columns. Each row of the data table corresponds to a data record, and each column of the data table corresponds to a data item. Therefore, the supplier data is a set of one or more data records corresponding to one or more suppliers.

[0027] In the example of FIG. 3, each data record of the supplier data includes a supplier ID and supplier attributes as data items. The supplier ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies an individual supplier. The supplier attributes are information indicating the characteristics or properties of the supplier, and are expressed as a set of one or more data items.

[0028] In one example, the supplier attributes include basic information, material functions, compound classifications, processing methods / equipment, and analytical instruments. The basic information may include the name, address, URL, etc. of the supplier. The material functions are information on materials from the perspective of functions, and are indicated by one or more data items. The compound classifications are information on compounds from the perspective of structures, and are indicated by one or more data items. The processing methods / equipment are information on the methods or equipment for manufacturing materials, and are indicated by one or more data items. The analytical instruments are information on the instruments for analyzing materials, and are indicated by one or more data items.

[0029] In one example, for each data item belonging to material functions, compound classifications, processing methods / equipment, and analytical instruments, flag information is set to indicate binary whether the supplier handles the product or service indicated by the data item. For example, for a certain data item, if a supplier handles the product or service indicated by the data item, "1" is set, and if the supplier does not handle the product or service, "0" is set. In the example of FIG. 3, supplier Sa handles heat-resistant resins and initiators but not adhesives, handles polymers and oligomers but not phenols, handles SUS reactions but not GL reaction furnaces and extremely high-temperature reactions, and handles AAS and GC·MS but not ICP·OES.

[0030] [Portal Site] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a portal site. The portal site 300 in this example is named "Development Purchase Site". The portal site 300 includes a main page 310 that is initially displayed. The main page 310 includes an input field 311 for receiving search conditions for a batch search for a plurality of databases, and links 321 to 327 to a search page for executing a search for a specific one of the databases or to an external site.

[0031] Both links 321 and 322 are hyperlinks to a search page for executing a material search for the material database 21. Link 321 guides the user terminal 40 to a search page 331 for executing a search for the material catalog with respect to the material database 21. The search page 331 includes an input field 331a for receiving search conditions for the material catalog and a display field 331b for the search results for the material catalog. Link 322 guides the user terminal 40 to a search page 332 for executing a search for sustainable materials with respect to the material database 21. The search page 332 includes an input field 332a for receiving search conditions for sustainable materials and a display field 332b for the search results for sustainable materials.

[0032] Both links 323 and 324 are hyperlinks to an external site for executing a reagent search for the reagent database 31. Link 323 guides the user terminal 40 to the main page 403 of an external site A capable of executing a search for the reagent database 31. Link 324 guides the user terminal 40 to the main page 404 of an external site B capable of executing a search for the reagent database 31. Therefore, it can be said that links 323 and 324 are external links.

[0033] Link 325 is a hyperlink to a search page for executing a supplier search against the supplier database 22. Link 325 guides the user terminal 40 to a search page 335 for executing a supplier search. The search page 335 includes an input field 335a for receiving search conditions regarding suppliers and a display field 335b for displaying search results regarding suppliers.

[0034] Both Link 326 and Link 327 are hyperlinks to a search page for executing a search for secondary materials against the secondary material database 23. Link 326 guides the user terminal 40 to a search page 336 for executing a search regarding the secondary material catalog against the secondary material database 23. The search page 336 includes an input field 336a for receiving search conditions regarding the secondary material catalog and a display field 336b for displaying search results regarding the secondary material catalog. Link 327 guides the user terminal 40 to a search page 337 for executing a search regarding sustainable secondary materials against the secondary material database 23. The search page 337 includes an input field 337a for receiving search conditions regarding sustainable secondary materials and a display field 337b for displaying search results regarding sustainable secondary materials.

[0035] In the example of FIG. 4, a plurality of links and search pages are provided for each of the material database 21, the secondary material database 23, and the reagent database 24, and one link and one search page are provided for the supplier database 22. However, the number of links and search pages may be 1 in at least one of the material database 21, the secondary material database 23, and the reagent database 24, and a plurality of links and search pages may be provided for the supplier database 22.

[0036] FIG. 4 simply shows the input field for search conditions and the display field for search results, but the configurations of the input field and the display field may be realized by various user interfaces. For example, the input field corresponding to the supplier attribute represented by flag information may be realized by a checkbox.

[0037] [Operation of the System] With reference to FIG. 5, the operation of the search system 1 will be described, and the search method according to this embodiment will also be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the search system 1 as a processing flow S1. The server 10 executes the processing flow S1 after connecting to each of the material database 21, the supplier database 22, the auxiliary material database 23, and the reagent database 24. In the following description, it is assumed that the portal site 300 shown in FIG. 4 is provided to the user terminal 40.

[0038] In step S11, the page management unit 11 displays the main page 310 of the portal site 300 on the user terminal 40. The user performs an operation on the user terminal 40 to access the main page 310. In response to the operation, the user terminal 40 transmits a request signal for requesting the main page 310 to the server 10. The page management unit 11 receives the request signal, reads out the page data of the main page 310 from the memory 102 based on this signal, and transmits the page data to the user terminal 40 as a response. The user terminal 40 receives and displays the page data.

[0039] In step S12, the search unit 12 receives operation data indicating a user operation on the main page 310 from the user terminal 40. The user can input search conditions in the input field 311 and request a batch search. Alternatively, the user can click or tap one of the links 321 to 327 to select the database to be used. The user terminal 40 transmits a request signal based on the user operation to the server 10, and the search unit 12 receives the request signal.

[0040] As shown in step S13, the subsequent processing is determined according to the type of user operation indicated by the request signal. In the case of a batch search, the processing proceeds to step S14, and in the case where a specific database is selected, the processing proceeds to step S16.

[0041] (Batch Search) In step S14, the search unit 12 executes a batch search. The search unit 12 searches for data corresponding to the search conditions input in the input field 311 from a set of two or more databases.

[0042] In one example, the search unit 12 accesses each of the material database 21, the supplier database 22, and the sub-material database 23 belonging to the internal database 20, and searches for data corresponding to the search conditions of the batch search from these databases. The search conditions can be a set of one or more keywords.

[0043] The search unit 12 performs a full-text search based on the search conditions on a plurality of document files in the material database 21, and extracts material data corresponding to the search conditions. The search unit 12 also performs a full-text search based on the search conditions on a plurality of document files in the sub-material database 23, and extracts sub-material data corresponding to the search conditions. In one example, the full-text search is a process of extracting a document file that describes all of the one or more keywords indicated by the search conditions. Therefore, both the extracted material data and sub-material data can be a set of one or more document files.

[0044] The search unit 12 performs a record search on the supplier database 22 based on the search conditions. In one example, the record search is a process of extracting a record having data items corresponding to all of the one or more keywords indicated by the search conditions. For a data item in which flag information is set, the search unit 12 may determine that the data item corresponds to the keyword when the value of the data item corresponding to the keyword is "1", and may determine that the data item does not correspond to the keyword when the value is "0".

[0045] In one example, in addition to the internal databases 20 (material database 21, supplier database 22, and auxiliary material database 23), the search unit 12 extracts reagent data corresponding to the search conditions for the batch search from the reagent database 31 belonging to the external database 30. For example, the search unit 12 sends the search conditions to an external system that manages the reagent database 31 and requests the external system to perform a search process. The external system searches the reagent database 31 in response to the request and sends the search results to the server 10. The search unit 12 receives the search results. Alternatively, the search unit 12 may directly access the reagent database 31 and extract the reagent data corresponding to the search conditions. The search method for the reagent database 31 depends on the data structure of the reagent data. For example, it may be a full-text search or a record search.

[0046] The search unit 12 can obtain data corresponding to the search conditions for the batch search from one or more of the material database 21, supplier database 22, auxiliary material database 23, and reagent database 31. Alternatively, the search unit 12 may not obtain data corresponding to the search conditions from any database.

[0047] In step S15, the search unit 12 sends the search results to the user terminal 40. The search unit 12 can send the results of searching the material database 21, supplier database 22, and auxiliary material database 23. Alternatively, the search unit 12 can also send the results of searching the reagent database 31 in addition to those databases. The user terminal 40 receives and displays the search results. The portal site 300 may display the search results within the main page 310 or represent them in another window.

[0048] (Search of a Specific Database) As shown in step S16, when a specific database is selected, the subsequent processing is determined according to the database. When the internal database 20 is selected, the process proceeds to step S17. When the external database 30 is selected, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0049] In step S17, the page management unit 11 displays a search page corresponding to the selected database on the user terminal 40. The page management unit 11 reads out page data corresponding to the received request signal from the memory 102 and transmits the page data to the user terminal 40. When the link 321 is operated, the page management unit 11 transmits the page data of the search page 331. When the link 322 is operated, the page management unit 11 transmits the page data of the search page 332. When the link 325 is operated, the page management unit 11 transmits the page data of the search page 335. When the link 326 is operated, the page management unit 11 transmits the page data of the search page 336. When the link 327 is operated, the page management unit 11 transmits the page data of the search page 337. The user terminal 40 receives and displays the transmitted page data.

[0050] In step S18, the search unit 12 executes a search for the selected database. The user inputs search conditions in the input field of the search page displayed on the user terminal 40 in step S17 and requests a search. The search conditions can be a set of one or more keywords. The user terminal 40 transmits a request signal indicating the search conditions to the server 10 based on the user operation. The search unit 12 receives the request signal, accesses the corresponding database, and searches for data corresponding to the search conditions from the selected database.

[0051] When receiving the search conditions input in the input field 331a of the search page 331, the search unit 12 performs a full-text search based on the search conditions on a plurality of document files stored in the material database 21 and belonging to the material catalog. The search unit 12 can extract one or more document files as material data corresponding to the search conditions.

[0052] When the search conditions entered in the input field 332a of the search page 332 are received, the search unit 12 performs a full-text search based on the search conditions on a plurality of document files stored in the material database 21 and belonging to sustainable materials. The search unit 12 can extract one or more document files as material data corresponding to the search conditions.

[0053] When the search conditions entered in the input field 335a of the search page 335 are received, the search unit 12 performs a record search based on the search conditions on the supplier database 22. The search unit 12 can extract one or more data records as supplier data corresponding to the search conditions.

[0054] When the search conditions entered in the input field 336a of the search page 336 are received, the search unit 12 performs a full-text search based on the search conditions on a plurality of document files stored in the sub-material database 23 and belonging to the sub-material catalog. The search unit 12 can extract one or more document files as sub-material data corresponding to the search conditions.

[0055] When the search conditions entered in the input field 337a of the search page 337 are received, the search unit 12 performs a full-text search based on the search conditions on a plurality of document files stored in the sub-material database 23 and belonging to sustainable sub-materials. The search unit 12 can extract one or more document files as sub-material data corresponding to the search conditions.

[0056] In step S19, the search unit 12 transmits the search results to the user terminal 40. The user terminal 40 receives the search results and displays the search results in the display field of the corresponding search page.

[0057] In step S20, the page management unit 11 guides the user terminal 40 to an external site corresponding to the selected database, that is, an external site capable of performing a reagent search for the reagent database 31. As a result of this guidance, the user terminal 40 displays the main page 403 or 404 of the external site. The user performs an operation for reagent search on the external site, and the external site displays a search result of reagent data in response to the operation.

[0058] After the main page 310 is displayed on the user terminal 40 in step S11, the user can perform various operations on the main page 310. For example, the user can repeat a batch search, display a search page different from the previous one on the user terminal 40 to search another database, or use the batch search and the search of a specific database separately as needed. In response to such user operations, the search system 1 can repeatedly execute the processing after step S12.

[0059] In one example, in an organization, various printed materials held by the members are collected, OCR is performed on each printed material, and many document files 220 are obtained. In addition, in the organization, many document files 220 can also be created by a document creation application. Then, these document files 220 are stored in the material database 21 or the sub-material database 23. Also, in the organization, supplier data is prepared and stored in the supplier database 22. Therefore, various types of information scattered within the organization are aggregated in the search system 1. Furthermore, access to the reagent database 31 belonging to the external database 30 is provided. As a user of the search system 1, a member can access each of the thus-prepared databases, that is, the aggregated information, via the portal site 300 to obtain the information necessary for his or her own material research or development.

[0060] [Modification Example] As described above, the technology according to the present disclosure has been described in detail based on various examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples. Various modifications are possible for the technology according to the present disclosure without departing from its gist.

[0061] The above-described search system 1 is constructed as a client-server system, but the search system may be implemented on a stand-alone computer.

[0062] The processing procedures of the method executed by at least one processor are not limited to the above examples. For example, some of the above-described steps may be omitted, or each step may be executed in a different order. Also, any two or more of the above-described steps may be combined, or a part of a step may be modified or deleted. Alternatively, other steps may be executed in addition to each of the above steps.

[0063] In the comparison of the magnitude relationship between two numerical values in the present disclosure, either of the two criteria of "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" may be used, and either of the two criteria of "less than or equal to" and "less than" may be used.

[0064] In the present disclosure, the expression "at least one processor executes a first process, executes a second process,..., executes an nth process." or a corresponding expression indicates a concept including the case where the execution subject of the n processes from the first process to the nth process, that is, the processor changes midway. That is, this expression indicates a concept including both the case where all of the n processes are executed by the same processor and the case where the processor changes in an arbitrary manner in the n processes.

[0065] [Appendix] As can be understood from the above various examples, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. (Appendix 1) A material database that stores a plurality of document files related to a plurality of types of materials, at least a part of the plurality of document files being generated by optical character recognition, the material database, A supplier database that stores supplier data related to a plurality of suppliers in the form of a data table, At least one processor accessible to the material database and the supplier database, Comprising, The at least one processor, Displays a portal site on the user terminal that can receive both a material search for the material database and a supplier search for the supplier database, In response to receiving search conditions related to the material from the user terminal in the material search, performs a full-text search on the plurality of document files based on the search conditions, and provides a search result indicating the document file corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal, In response to receiving search conditions related to the supplier from the user terminal in the supplier search, performs a record search on the data table based on the search conditions, and provides a search result indicating the supplier corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal. Search system. (Appendix 2) The at least one processor, Displays the portal site on the user terminal that can further receive a batch search for both the material database and the supplier database, In response to receiving search conditions for the batch search from the user terminal, searches both the material search and the record search based on the search conditions, and provides a search result indicating at least one of the document file corresponding to the search conditions and the supplier corresponding to the search conditions on the user terminal. The search system according to Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The portal site includes a main page, a first search page for receiving search conditions regarding the materials, and a second search page for receiving search conditions regarding the suppliers. The main page includes a first link to the first search page, a second link to the second search page, and an input field for receiving search conditions for the batch search. The at least one processor In response to an operation of the first link on the user terminal, display the first search page on the user terminal. In response to an operation of the second link on the user terminal, display the second search page on the user terminal. In response to receiving the search conditions for the batch search input in the input field from the user terminal, perform both the material search and the record search based on the search conditions. The search system according to Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) A search method executed by a search system including at least one processor, Connecting to a material database that stores a plurality of document files regarding a plurality of types of materials, at least a part of the plurality of document files being generated by optical character recognition; Connecting to a supplier database that stores supplier data regarding a plurality of suppliers in the form of a data table; Displaying on the user terminal a portal site capable of receiving both a material search for the material database and a supplier search for the supplier database; In response to receiving from the user terminal search conditions regarding the material in the material search, performing a full-text search on the plurality of document files based on the search conditions, and providing to the user terminal a search result indicating the document files corresponding to the search conditions; In response to receiving search conditions regarding the supplier from the user terminal in the supplier search, performing a record search based on the search conditions on the data table, and providing a search result indicating the supplier corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal; A search method including. (Appendix 5) Connecting to a material database that stores a plurality of document files regarding a plurality of types of materials, at least a part of the plurality of document files being generated by optical character recognition; Connecting to a supplier database that stores supplier data regarding a plurality of suppliers in the form of a data table; Displaying on the user terminal a portal site capable of receiving both a material search for the material database and a supplier search for the supplier database; In response to receiving search conditions regarding the material from the user terminal in the material search, performing a full-text search based on the search conditions on the plurality of document files, and providing a search result indicating the document file corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal; In response to receiving search conditions regarding the supplier from the user terminal in the supplier search, performing a record search based on the search conditions on the data table, and providing a search result indicating the supplier corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal; A search program for causing a computer to execute.

[0066] According to Supplementary Notes 1, 4, and 5, since searches for two databases with different data formats are provided by a common portal site, a simple access route to these databases can be provided to the user. On the other hand, in data searches, since search processing according to the data format of each database is executed, appropriate search results can be provided to the user. With such a mechanism, data related to the research or development of materials stored in multiple data formats can be efficiently searched. In addition, in one example, information collected for the search system can be stored in a database in the form of a document file or a data table without being restricted to a single data format, thereby realizing the efficiency of information collection and recording.

[0067] According to Supplementary Note 2, a batch search for collectively searching two databases with different data formats is further provided. By using this batch search, data related to the research or development of materials can be comprehensively searched with a simple operation.

[0068] According to Supplementary Note 3, the input field for the batch search is displayed on the main page of the portal site, while the search pages for individually searching each database are displayed separately from the main page via a link on the main page. By configuring the portal site in this way, the correspondence between the search target and the web page can be intuitively grasped by the user. In one example, the user can be reminded that the input field on the main page is a user interface used for batch searches for multiple databases.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1…Search system, 10…Server, 11…Page management unit, 12…Search unit, 20…Internal database, 21…Material database, 22…Supplier database, 23…Sub-material database, 30…External database, 31…Reagent database, 40…User terminal, 220…Document file, 300…Portal site.

Claims

1. A material database that stores a plurality of document files related to a plurality of types of materials, wherein at least a part of the plurality of document files is generated by optical character recognition, the material database, A supplier database that stores supplier data related to a plurality of suppliers in the form of a data table, At least one processor accessible to the material database and the supplier database, Comprising, The at least one processor, Displays a portal site on the user terminal that can receive both a material search for the material database and a supplier search for the supplier database, In response to receiving search conditions related to the material from the user terminal in the material search, performs a full-text search on the plurality of document files based on the search conditions, and provides a search result indicating the document file corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal, In response to receiving search conditions related to the supplier from the user terminal in the supplier search, performs a record search on the data table based on the search conditions, and provides a search result indicating the supplier corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal. Search system.

2. The at least one processor, Displays the portal site on the user terminal that can further receive a batch search for both the material database and the supplier database, In response to receiving search conditions for the batch search from the user terminal, searches both the material search and the record search based on the search conditions, and provides a search result indicating at least one of the document file corresponding to the search conditions and the supplier corresponding to the search conditions on the user terminal. The search system according to claim 1.

3. The portal site includes a main page, a first search page for receiving search conditions related to the material, and a second search page for receiving search conditions related to the supplier, The main page includes a first link to the first search page, a second link to the second search page, and an input field for receiving search conditions for the batch search, The at least one processor, In response to an operation on the first link at the user terminal, display the first search page on the user terminal. In response to an operation on the second link at the user terminal, display the second search page on the user terminal. In response to receiving the search conditions for the batch search input in the input field from the user terminal, perform both the material search and the record search based on the search conditions. The search system according to claim 2.

4. A search method executed by a search system including at least one processor, connecting to a material database storing a plurality of document files related to a plurality of types of materials, at least a part of the plurality of document files being generated by optical character recognition; connecting to a supplier database storing supplier data related to a plurality of suppliers in the form of a data table; displaying on the user terminal a portal site capable of receiving both a material search for the material database and a supplier search for the supplier database; in response to receiving from the user terminal search conditions related to the material in the material search, performing a full-text search based on the search conditions on the plurality of document files, and providing to the user terminal a search result indicating the document files corresponding to the search conditions; in response to receiving from the user terminal search conditions related to the supplier in the supplier search, performing a record search based on the search conditions on the data table, and providing to the user terminal a search result indicating the suppliers corresponding to the search conditions; A search method including the above steps.

5. connecting to a material database storing a plurality of document files related to a plurality of types of materials, at least a part of the plurality of document files being generated by optical character recognition; connecting to a supplier database storing supplier data related to a plurality of suppliers in the form of a data table; displaying on the user terminal a portal site capable of receiving both a material search for the material database and a supplier search for the supplier database; In response to receiving search conditions regarding the material from the user terminal in the material search, performing a full-text search based on the search conditions on the plurality of document files, and providing a search result indicating the document file corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal; In response to receiving search conditions regarding the supplier from the user terminal in the supplier search, performing a record search based on the search conditions on the data table, and providing a search result indicating the supplier corresponding to the search conditions to the user terminal; A search program for causing a computer to execute.

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