Retrieval device, retrieval method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique enabling a user to easily find his / her desired facility within retrieval results for the facility using retrieval words.SOLUTION: A retrieval device includes a facility retrieval unit, an attribute determination unit, and an output unit. The facility retrieval unit searches for a facility on the basis of an input retrieval word. The attribute determination unit determines a distinction attribute which distinguishes the plurality of facilities individually, from among a plurality of attributes associated with each of a plurality of mutually different facilities identified by the facility retrieval unit. The output unit outputs a name of at least one facility from the plurality of facilities and the distinction attribute of the facility as a retrieval result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A service is available that identifies a destination based on an input search term, searches for a route to the destination, and presents the route to the destination to the user.

[0003] For example, an example of technology related to the above-mentioned service is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a device that, when displaying results of a search based on an input facility name, determines the display priority according to the priority set for each category, using a database that stores facility information for facility searches together with the category of the facility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-271277 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When searching for a destination facility using a facility name as a search term, other facilities with similar names may also be found, making it difficult for users to find the desired facility from the search results.

[0006] One example of the problem that the invention disclosed herein aims to solve is to provide technology that enables users to easily find the facility they are looking for in the search results for facilities using search terms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention in the present disclosure is: a facility search means for searching for facilities based on an input search word; an attribute determination means for determining, from among attributes associated with each of a plurality of different facilities identified by the search of said facility search means, distinguishing attributes that are attributes for distinguishing between the plurality of facilities; an output means for outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the plurality of facilities as a search result; The search device is provided with:

[0008] The second invention in the present disclosure is: The computer Search for facilities based on the search terms you enter, determining a distinguishing attribute, which is an attribute for distinguishing between each of the plurality of facilities, from among a plurality of attributes associated with each of the plurality of different facilities identified by the search based on the search word; outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the facilities as a search result; This is a search method that includes the following.

[0009] The third invention in the present disclosure is: When executed by a computer, the program causes the computer to: Search for facilities based on the search terms you enter, determining a distinguishing attribute, which is an attribute for distinguishing between each of the plurality of facilities, from among a plurality of attributes associated with each of the plurality of different facilities identified by the search based on the search word; outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the facilities as a search result; It is a program that executes operations including the above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first example of a functional configuration of a search device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the functions of a search device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of processing executed by a search device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a facility database. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of processing executed by a search device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of processing executed by a search device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of processing executed by a search device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In the following disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments.

[0012] In the following description, each component of each device represents a functional block, not a hardware configuration. Each component of each device is realized by any combination of hardware and software, centered around the CPU of any computer, memory, a program loaded into the memory, a storage medium such as a hard disk that stores the program, and a network connection interface. There are many variations in the realization method and device.

[0013] Furthermore, when elements such as blocks in a diagram are linked by arrows, the direction of the arrows is merely to make the flow of information easier to understand. In this case, the direction of the arrows does not limit the direction of communication (one-way communication / two-way communication) unless otherwise specified.

[0014] First embodiment <Example of functional configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing a first example of the functional configuration of a search device according to the present disclosure. The search device 10 shown in the figure includes at least a facility search unit 110, an attribute determination unit 120, and an output unit .

[0015] The facility search unit 110 searches for facilities based on the input search word. The facility search unit 110, for example, references a facility database 20 that stores various information about multiple facilities, identifies facilities related to the input search word, and acquires information about the identified facilities as search results. The output unit 130 outputs the search results for facilities based on the input search word. As a result of the search by the facility search unit 110, multiple different facilities with names that are identical or similar to the input search word (i.e., it is difficult to distinguish between them based on the name alone) may be identified. In such a case, the attribute determination unit 120 determines an attribute (hereinafter also referred to as a "distinguishing attribute") for distinguishing between the multiple different facilities from one or more attributes associated with each of the multiple different facilities. In this case, the output unit 130 outputs the name and distinguishing attribute information of at least one of the multiple facilities as the search results.

[0016] The search device 10 is, for example, a navigation device installed in a vehicle or a communication device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal used by a user. In this case, the components of the search device 10 (the facility search unit 110, the attribute determination unit 120, and the output unit 130) and the facility database 20 are arranged in the navigation device or the communication device. The search device 10 may also be a server device that provides services by communicating with the navigation device or the communication device. In this case, the components of the search device 10 (the facility search unit 110, the attribute determination unit 120, and the output unit 130) and the facility database 20 are all arranged in the server device. In this case, the navigation device or the notification device functions as a device that passes input from the user to the server device (search device 10) and presents output information from the server device (search device 10). Alternatively, the components of the search device 10 (the facility search unit 110, the attribute determination unit 120, and the output unit 130) and the facility database 20 may be distributed among the navigation device, the communication device, and the server device. For example, a navigation device or a communication device may have the facility search unit 110 and the output unit 130, and a server device may have the attribute determination unit 120 and the facility database 20.

[0017] <Hardware configuration example> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the functions of the search device according to the present disclosure.

[0018] The computer 1000 includes a bus 1010 , a processor 1020 , a memory 1030 , a storage device 1040 , an input / output interface 1050 , and a network interface 1060 .

[0019] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0020] The processor 1020 is implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like.

[0021] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a random access memory (RAM) or the like.

[0022] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by removable media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card, or a read only memory (ROM). The storage device 1040 stores at least program modules that realize the functions of the search device 10 described above (the facility search unit 110, the attribute determination unit 120, and the output unit 130). The storage device 1040 may further store a facility database 20.

[0023] The processor 1020 loads a program module read from the storage device 1040 onto the memory 1030 and executes the program module, thereby realizing the function corresponding to the program module. For example, the processor 1020 reads a program module corresponding to the facility search unit 110 onto the memory 1030 and executes the program module, thereby realizing the function of the facility search unit 110 described in this disclosure. Similarly, the processor 1020 reads a program module corresponding to the attribute determination unit 120 onto the memory 1030 and executes the program module, thereby realizing the function of the attribute determination unit 120 described in this disclosure. Similarly, the processor 1020 reads a program module corresponding to the output unit 130 onto the memory 1030 and executes the program module, thereby realizing the function of the output unit 130 described in this disclosure. This operation of the processor 1020 is common to each embodiment included in this disclosure.

[0024] The above-described program modules may be recorded on a recording medium other than the storage device 1040. The recording medium on which the program modules are recorded may include any non-transitory, tangible medium usable by the computer 1000. The recording medium on which the program modules are recorded may have embedded therein program code that can be read by the computer 1000 (processor 1020).

[0025] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 (search device 10) to various input / output devices. The computer 1000 (search device 10) can be connected via the input / output interface 1050 to input devices such as operation buttons, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a microphone, and output devices such as a display and a speaker.

[0026] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 (search device 10) to an arbitrary network. The network may be, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). The network interface 1060 may connect to the network wirelessly or by wire. In the former case, the network interface 1060 supports various wireless communication standards. Note that if the facility database 20 is stored in an external server device (not shown), the search device 10 (facility search unit 110) accesses the facility database 20 stored in the server device via the network interface 1060.

[0027] <Example of operation> FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of processing executed by a search device according to the present disclosure.

[0028] First, the facility search unit 110 acquires a search word input by the user to an input device (step S102). For example, the user inputs the search word by operating a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like. In this case, the facility search unit 110 acquires information indicating the input search word based on an electrical signal generated based on the user's input operation on the keyboard or touch panel. Alternatively, for example, the user may input the search word by voice into a microphone. In this case, the facility search unit 110 identifies the search word based on a voice input signal received via the microphone. For example, the facility search unit 110 can identify the search word from the input voice by converting the input voice into text using a known method.

[0029] The facility search unit 110 then searches for facilities based on the acquired search word (step S104). The facility search unit 110, for example, refers to a facility database that stores various information about multiple facilities, and identifies facilities with names that are the same as or similar to the search word. Note that when a facility is searched for based on a search word, multiple facilities may be identified for the search word. In this case, the facility search unit 110 acquires information about the multiple facilities identified based on the search word from the facility database.

[0030] An example of the facility database described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the facility database. In the example shown in this figure, the facility database 20 stores, for each facility, information on various facility attributes that can be used as distinguishing attributes (described later), in addition to the facility name. In the facility database 20 illustrated in this figure, the multiple facility-related attributes include at least the address, genre, nearby facilities, and access roads. In addition, in the facility database 20 illustrated in this figure, the multiple facility-related attributes further include the user's behavior history. The user's behavior history includes, for example, the user's visit history and visit frequency to a certain facility. Information such as the facility visit history and visit frequency can be generated for each user based on various data that can be collected by linking with a device (e.g., a smartphone) owned by the user. Note that the attributes associated with each of the multiple facilities are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4. For example, the facility database 20 may store at least one of the address, genre, nearby facilities, access roads, and user's behavior history illustrated in FIG. 4 as an attribute associated with each of the multiple facilities.

[0031] If it is determined that multiple facilities with the same or similar names have been identified in the search process by the facility search unit 110 (step S106: YES), there is a possibility that the user will confuse the multiple facilities when outputting the search results. In this case, the attribute determination unit 120 determines an attribute (distinguishing attribute) for distinguishing the multiple facilities from among the multiple attributes associated with each of the multiple facilities (step S108).

[0032] For example, suppose that two facilities (a first facility and a second facility) with the same or similar names are identified in the search process by the facility search unit 110. The attribute determination unit 120 determines a distinguishing attribute based on the results of comparing the attributes associated with the first facility and the second facility. For example, suppose that multiple attributes illustrated in FIG. 4 are associated with the first facility and the second facility, respectively, and that the "address" attribute of the first facility and the second facility is the same or similar. In this case, the attribute determination unit 120 can determine attributes other than the "address" attribute (e.g., genre or nearby facilities) as distinguishing attributes. Also, suppose that multiple attributes illustrated in FIG. 4 are associated with the first facility and the second facility, respectively, and that the "genre" attribute of the first facility and the second facility is the same or similar. In this case, the attribute determination unit 120 can similarly determine attributes other than the "genre" attribute (e.g., address or nearby facilities) as distinguishing attributes.

[0033] On the other hand, if it is determined that only one facility was identified in the search process by the facility search unit 110 (step S106: NO), the processing of step S108 is not executed because it is considered unlikely or unlikely that the user will confuse the facility with other facilities.

[0034] Then, the output unit 130 outputs the search results (step S110). The output unit 130 outputs the search results, for example, using a display and / or a speaker connected via the input / output interface 1050, that is, as visual and / or auditory information. Here, if the processing of step S108 has been executed, the output unit 130 outputs, as the search results, the name of at least one of the facilities identified in the search processing by the facility search unit 110 and the distinction attribute determined in step S108. On the other hand, if the processing of step S108 has not been executed, the output unit 130 outputs, as the search results, the name of the facility identified in the search processing by the facility search unit 110.

[0035] In this manner, when a search based on a search word identifies multiple facilities with the same or similar names, the search device 10 of the present disclosure determines distinguishing attributes for distinguishing between the multiple facilities. The search device 10 of the present disclosure then outputs, as search results, information on the name and distinguishing attributes of at least one of the multiple facilities identified by the search. This allows a user to distinguish between multiple facilities with the same or similar names when a search based on a search word finds the multiple facilities. This effect is particularly pronounced when outputting audio information in which it is difficult to list multiple search results, because the user can distinguish between the facilities using only the name and distinguishing attributes of one facility.

[0036] Second embodiment <Example of functional configuration> The search device 10 of this embodiment has the same functional configuration (e.g., FIG. 1) as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a priority is assigned to each of the multiple attributes associated with each facility, and the attribute determination unit 120 determines a distinguishing attribute for distinction in accordance with the order based on the priority.

[0037] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the attributes associated with a facility may include multiple attributes, such as address, genre, nearby facilities, access roads, and user behavior history. In this case, the priority of each of the multiple attributes can be arbitrarily determined, for example, depending on the actual operational situation. For example, suppose several facilities are selected as samples and compared, and it is determined that "address" is the most distinctive attribute. In this case, the highest priority is assigned to "address." Similarly, the priority of each of the multiple attributes can be determined by determining the attributes based on distinctiveness. As a result, for example, the priority of each of the multiple attributes is set so that "address," "genre," "nearby facilities," "access roads," and "user behavior history" have decreasing priority in this order.

[0038] In this embodiment, the output unit 130 is configured to change the way search results are output by using new information, namely, attribute priority. A specific example of output based on attribute priority will be described later.

[0039] <Example of operation> 5 to 7 are flowcharts showing a second example of the process executed by the search device according to the present disclosure.

[0040] First, the facility search unit 110 acquires a search word input by the user to an input device (step S202). Then, the facility search unit 110 searches for facilities based on the acquired search word (step S204). After the facility search unit 110 completes the search process, the attribute determination unit 120 determines whether multiple facilities with the same or similar names have been identified in the search process (step S206). These processes are the same as steps S102 to S106 in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0041] If the facility search unit 110 determines that multiple facilities with the same or similar names have been identified in the search process (step S206: YES), the attribute determination unit 120 selects the "address," which has the highest priority, based on the priority of the attributes described above. Then, the attribute determination unit 120 determines whether multiple facilities with the same or similar "addresses" have been identified (exist) for the multiple facilities identified in the search process (step S208). For example, the attribute determination unit 120 uses a known natural language processing algorithm to measure the similarity of the addresses for each combination of two facilities. Then, based on the similarity measured for each combination, the attribute determination unit 120 can determine whether multiple facilities with the same or similar "addresses" exist. If the facility search unit 110 determines that multiple facilities with the same or similar "addresses" do not exist (step S208: NO), the attribute determination unit 120 determines that the multiple facilities can be distinguished from one another by the attribute "address." That is, the attribute determination unit 120 determines "address" as the distinguishing attribute (step S210).

[0042] If it is determined that there are multiple facilities with the same or similar "address" (step S208: YES), the attribute determination unit 120 selects a "genre" that has the next highest priority after "address" based on the priority of the attributes described above. Then, the attribute determination unit 120 determines whether multiple facilities with the same or similar "genre" have been identified (exist) for the multiple facilities identified by the search process (step S212). For example, the attribute determination unit 120 can determine the similarity of genres for each combination of two facilities by referring to information defining the similarity between genres. Note that the information defining the similarity between genres is stored in advance in a storage area (such as the memory 1030 or the storage device 1040) accessible by the attribute determination unit 120. Then, based on the similarity determined for each combination, the attribute determination unit 120 can determine whether there are multiple facilities with the same or similar "genre." If it is determined that there are no facilities with the same or similar "genre" (step S212: NO), the attribute determining unit 120 determines that the multiple facilities can be distinguished from one another by the attribute "genre." That is, the attribute determining unit 120 determines "genre" as the distinguishing attribute (step S214).

[0043] If it is determined that multiple facilities with the same or similar "genre" exist (step S212: YES), the attribute determination unit 120 selects "neighboring facilities," which has the next highest priority after "genre," based on the priority of the attributes described above. Then, the attribute determination unit 120 determines whether multiple facilities with the same or similar "neighboring facilities" have been identified (exist) for the multiple facilities identified by the search process (step S216). For example, the attribute determination unit 120 uses a known natural language processing algorithm to measure the similarity of the names, addresses, etc. of facilities associated with each of the two target facilities as "neighboring facilities." Then, based on the similarity measured for each combination, the attribute determination unit 120 can determine whether multiple facilities with the same or similar "neighboring facilities" exist. If it is determined that multiple facilities with the same or similar "neighboring facilities" do not exist (step S216: NO), the attribute determination unit 120 determines that the multiple facilities can be individually distinguished by the attribute of "neighboring facilities." That is, the attribute determining unit 120 determines "neighboring facilities" as the distinguishing attribute (step S218).

[0044] If it is determined that there are multiple facilities with the same or similar "neighboring facilities" (step S216: YES), the attribute determination unit 120 selects the "approaching road" that has the next highest priority after the "neighboring facilities" based on the priority of the attributes described above. Then, the attribute determination unit 120 determines whether multiple facilities with the same or similar "approaching road" have been identified (exist) for the multiple facilities identified by the search process (step S220). For example, the attribute determination unit 120 uses a known natural language processing algorithm to measure the similarity between the names of the roads associated with each of the two target facilities as "approaching roads." Then, based on the similarity measured for each combination, the attribute determination unit 120 can determine whether there are multiple facilities with the same or similar "approaching roads." If it is determined that there are not multiple facilities with the same or similar "approaching roads" (step S220: NO), the attribute determination unit 120 determines that the multiple facilities can be individually distinguished by the attribute of "approaching road." That is, the attribute determining unit 120 determines "approaching road" as the distinction attribute (step S222).

[0045] If it is determined that there are multiple facilities with the same or similar "approaching road" (step S220: NO), the attribute determination unit 120 selects the "user behavior history" with the next highest priority after the "approaching road" based on the priority of the attributes described above. Then, the attribute determination unit 120 determines whether multiple facilities with the same or similar "user behavior history" have been identified (exist) among the multiple facilities identified by the search process (step S224). For example, the attribute determination unit 120 measures the similarity of the visit history and visit frequency associated with each of the two target facilities as the "user behavior history." For example, the attribute determination unit 120 calculates the difference obtained by comparing the visit history and visit frequency of the two facilities as an index of similarity. Then, based on the similarity measured for each combination, the attribute determination unit 120 can determine whether there are multiple facilities with the same or similar "user behavior history." If it is determined that there are no facilities with the same or similar "user behavior history" (step S224: NO), the attribute determining unit 120 determines that the multiple facilities can be distinguished from one another by the attribute "user behavior history." That is, the attribute determining unit 120 determines "user behavior history" as the distinguishing attribute (step S226). Note that if it is determined that there are multiple facilities with the same or similar "user behavior history" (step S224: YES), the attribute determining unit 120 does not determine a distinguishing attribute.

[0046] Then, the output unit 130 outputs the facility name and, if a distinguishing attribute has been determined by the attribute determining unit 120, the distinguishing attribute as the search result (step S228). The output unit 130 outputs the search result using, for example, a display and / or a speaker connected via the input / output interface 1050, that is, as visual and / or auditory information.

[0047] <<Example of output by the output unit>> As a first specific example, the output unit 130 may be configured to output information about multiple attributes associated with a facility, along with the facility name, in an order based on the priority assigned to each attribute. In addition, if a distinguishing attribute has been determined by the attribute determination unit 120, the output unit 130 outputs the distinguishing attribute with greater emphasis than other attributes. For example, when the search results are output as visual information, the output unit 130 emphasizes the distinguishing attribute by changing the display mode of the attribute corresponding to the distinguishing attribute in the attribute information arranged in the order of priority along with the facility name (e.g., by changing the background color or changing the character font or size). Furthermore, when the search results are output as auditory information, the output unit 130 emphasizes the distinguishing attribute by, for example, changing the volume of the audio output of the attribute corresponding to the distinguishing attribute or by outputting a predetermined sound effect. This allows the user to more easily determine which attributes are distinctive.

[0048] As a second specific example, the output unit 130 may be configured to output, along with the name of a facility, information on multiple attributes associated with the facility, in order of priority, from the attribute with the highest priority to the attribute identified as a distinguishing attribute. For example, in the example of this embodiment, assume that "genre" is determined as the distinguishing attribute. In this case, the output unit 130 outputs "address" and "genre" as attribute information for each facility, along with the name of the facility. This allows the user to more easily determine which attributes are distinctive. In this case, the user can easily distinguish between multiple facilities that may be confused by mainly checking the attribute output last as attribute information. In addition, in this specific example, the output unit 130 may output distinguishing attributes with emphasis, as in the first specific example.

[0049] As another example, when outputting attribute information together with the facility name, the output unit 130 may be configured to output the distinguishing attribute determined by the attribute determination unit 120 first, and then output the remaining attributes in an order based on priority. This allows the user to more easily determine which attributes are distinctive. In this case, the user can easily distinguish between multiple facilities that may be confused by mainly checking the attribute output first as attribute information. In addition, in this specific example, the output unit 130 may output the distinguishing attribute with emphasis, as in the first specific example.

[0050] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the description of the embodiments and modifications, the present disclosure is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiments and modifications. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the configurations of the embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in a sequential order, the order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order shown. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content.

[0052] Below, examples of reference forms are added. 1. a facility search means for searching for facilities based on an input search word; an attribute determination means for determining, from among attributes associated with each of a plurality of different facilities identified by the search of said facility search means, distinguishing attributes that are attributes for distinguishing between the plurality of facilities; an output means for outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the plurality of facilities as a search result; A search device comprising: 2. the facility search means accepts a voice input and identifies the search word based on the voice input; 1. The search device according to claim 1. 3. The attributes include at least one of an address, a genre, nearby facilities, an access road, and a user's behavior history. The search device according to 1. or 2. 4. When there are a plurality of attributes, a priority is assigned to each of the attributes, the attribute determination means determines the distinguishing attributes in accordance with the order of priority; 3. The search device according to claim 3. 5. The priority of each of the plurality of attributes is, in descending order, address, genre, nearby facilities, adjacent roads, and user behavior history. 4. The search device according to claim 4. 6. The output means outputting the plurality of attributes in an order based on the priority, and outputting the distinguishing attribute with emphasis over other attributes; The search device according to 4. or 5. 7. The output means outputting, from the plurality of attributes, attributes having a higher priority than the distinguishing attribute to the distinguishing attribute in an order based on the priority; The search device according to 4. or 5. 8. The output means outputting the distinguishing attribute first and the remaining attributes in order based on the priority; The search device according to 4. or 5. 9. The computer Search for facilities based on the search terms you enter, determining a distinguishing attribute, which is an attribute for distinguishing between each of the plurality of facilities, from among a plurality of attributes associated with each of the plurality of different facilities identified by the search based on the search word; outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the facilities as a search result; A search method that includes: 10. the facility search means accepts a voice input and identifies the search word based on the voice input; Search method described in 9. 11. The attributes include at least one of an address, a genre, nearby facilities, an access road, and a user's behavior history. Search method described in 9. or 10. 12. When there are a plurality of attributes, a priority is assigned to each of the attributes, the attribute determination means determines the distinguishing attributes in accordance with the order of priority; Search method described in 11. 13. The priority of each of the plurality of attributes is, in descending order, address, genre, nearby facilities, adjacent roads, and user behavior history. Search method described in 12. 14. The output means outputting the plurality of attributes in an order based on the priority, and outputting the distinguishing attribute with emphasis over other attributes; Search method described in 12. or 13. 15. The output means outputting, from the plurality of attributes, attributes having a higher priority than the distinguishing attribute to the distinguishing attribute in an order based on the priority; Search method described in 12. or 13. 16. The output means outputting the distinguishing attribute first and the remaining attributes in order based on the priority; Search method described in 12. or 13. 17. When executed by a computer, the program causes the computer to: Search for facilities based on the search terms you enter, determining a distinguishing attribute, which is an attribute for distinguishing between each of the plurality of facilities, from among a plurality of attributes associated with each of the plurality of different facilities identified by the search based on the search word; outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the facilities as a search result; A program that performs an action including: 18. the facility search means accepts a voice input and identifies the search word based on the voice input; 17. The program described in. 19. The attributes include at least one of an address, a genre, nearby facilities, an access road, and a user's behavior history. 17. or 18. 20. When there are a plurality of attributes, a priority is assigned to each of the attributes, the attribute determination means determines the distinguishing attributes in accordance with the order of priority; 19. The program described in. twenty one. The priority of each of the plurality of attributes is, in descending order, address, genre, nearby facilities, adjacent roads, and user behavior history. 20. The program described in. twenty two. The output means outputting the plurality of attributes in an order based on the priority, and outputting the distinguishing attribute with emphasis over other attributes; The program according to 20. or 21. twenty three. The output means outputting, from the plurality of attributes, attributes having a higher priority than the distinguishing attribute to the distinguishing attribute in an order based on the priority; The program according to 20. or 21. twenty four. The output means outputting the distinguishing attribute first and the remaining attributes in order based on the priority; The program according to 20. or 21. twenty five. A computer-readable recording medium having the program according to any one of 17 to 24 recorded thereon. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Search device 1000 computers 1010 Bus 1020 processor 1030 memory 1040 Storage Device 1050 Input / Output Interface 1060 Network Interface 110 Facility Search Department 120 Attribute determination section 130 Output section 20 Facility Database

Claims

1. a facility search means for searching for facilities based on an input search word; an attribute determination means for determining, from among attributes associated with each of a plurality of different facilities identified by the search of said facility search means, distinguishing attributes that are attributes for distinguishing between the plurality of facilities; an output means for outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the plurality of facilities as a search result; A search device comprising:

2. the facility search means accepts a voice input and identifies the search word based on the voice input; The search device according to claim 1 .

3. The attributes include at least one of an address, a genre, nearby facilities, an access road, and a user's behavior history.

3. The search device according to claim 1.

4. When there are a plurality of attributes, a priority is assigned to each of the attributes, the attribute determination means determines the distinguishing attributes in accordance with the order of priority; The search device according to claim 3 .

5. The priority of each of the plurality of attributes is, in descending order, address, genre, nearby facilities, adjacent roads, and user behavior history. The search device according to claim 4.

6. The output means outputting the plurality of attributes in an order based on the priority, and outputting the distinguishing attribute with emphasis over other attributes; The search device according to claim 4.

7. The output means outputting, from the plurality of attributes, attributes having a higher priority than the distinguishing attribute to the distinguishing attribute in an order based on the priority; The search device according to claim 4.

8. The output means outputting the distinguishing attribute first and the remaining attributes in order based on the priority; The search device according to claim 4.

9. The computer Search for facilities based on the search terms you enter, determining a distinguishing attribute, which is an attribute for distinguishing between each of the plurality of facilities, from among a plurality of attributes associated with each of the plurality of different facilities identified by the search based on the search word; outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the plurality of facilities as a search result; A search method that includes:

10. When executed by a computer, the program causes the computer to: Search for facilities based on the search terms you enter, determining a distinguishing attribute, which is an attribute for distinguishing between each of the plurality of facilities, from among a plurality of attributes associated with each of the plurality of different facilities identified by the search based on the search word; outputting the name and the distinguishing attribute of at least one of the plurality of facilities as a search result; A program that performs an action including:

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