System, method executed by system, and program

Abstract

To acquire much useful information from media on the basis of the tendency of access in each of the media while observing the limit of a retrieval amount set in each of the media.SOLUTION: The access analysis unit 402 analyzes, for each medium, a tendency of access to the medium from the users 191 to 197 of the medium. A search schedule creation part 404 creates a search schedule 130 (1200) including the setting of a search amount corresponding to a time zone on the basis of the tendency of access to each medium and the limit of the search amount when searching information owned by the medium. The information search unit 409 searches for and acquires, for each medium, information included in the medium based on the search schedule 130 (1200).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for acquiring (collecting) information held by media. [Background technology]

[0002] With the spread of networks, including the Internet, new information is being presented on networks every day. For example, users (user accounts) of media such as social networking services (SNS) and websites post (publish) new information every day. This posted information (posted information, published information) is then viewed by people other than the person who posted it, who respond to it (express their support, post (publish) opinions), and in some cases, further spread the posted information (published information) (reposting, republishing). There are many media outlets (including social media) like the ones mentioned above. It is also common for a person to post (publish) the same information on multiple media outlets (multi-posting). Furthermore, when information posted (published) by a person on a certain media outlet is spread (reposted / republished) by someone other than the original poster, it may be spread (reposted / republished) within the same media outlet, or it may be spread (reposted / republished) across different media outlets.

[0003] In light of the above situation, the acquisition (collection) of information held by media, including information posted (published) on media, is being considered. Many media operators provide application programming interfaces (APIs). Through the APIs provided by the media operators, even those other than the media operators can search for and acquire (collect) information held by the media. Furthermore, even for media that do not provide APIs, those other than the media operators can acquire (collect) information held by the media as appropriate. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose prior art related to acquiring (collecting) information over a network. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for collecting data from multiple domains accessible over a network. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for receiving information about a specific event and information about posts from a posting management server of a networking service provider, and generating event time series data and multiple posting time series data related to multiple topic information based on the received information. Patent Document 2 also mentions collecting information from a posting management server using a search API. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-520360 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-177284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, when a party other than the media operator acquires (collects) information held by the media through an application programming interface (API) provided by the media operator, limits may be placed on the amount of information that can be searched and acquired (collected) (hereinafter referred to as "search volume"). For example, the total amount of searches per account (user) using the media within a certain period (e.g., 24 hours) may be limited to a certain value. The search volume here may be measured by the data size of the information acquired (collected), the number of pieces of information acquired (collected), or some other criterion. Even for media that do not provide an API, some limits may be placed on the amount of information output from the media operator's server. Therefore, search volume limits may be placed even for media that do not provide an API.

[0006] It is desirable to acquire (collect) useful information from media, including information newly posted (published) on the media daily, while adhering to the search volume limits set for each of the above media. To achieve this, it is desirable to acquire (collect) as much information as possible from media within the search volume limits, and to increase the proportion of useful information among the information acquired (collected) within the limits.

[0007] On the other hand, the attributes (e.g., age group) of users of a medium often differ for each medium. Here, if we collectively refer to the actions of users of a medium, such as posting information to that medium, viewing posted information, reacting to posted information, and spreading posted information, as "access," then the access trends of users of that medium may differ, primarily due to differences in the attributes of users of each medium. For example, the time periods with the highest volume of accesses within a period (e.g., 24 hours) for which a search volume limit is set may differ for each medium. If we consider that information posted (published) on media (posted information / published information) that is recently posted (published) or that has been viewed, responded to, or shared a lot is information that attracts a lot of attention (high attention) and is useful information, then it can be understood that during times of high access volume, there will be a relatively large amount of information that attracts a lot of attention (high attention) and is useful.

[0008] From the above, one of the objectives of the present disclosure may be to obtain (collect) a large amount of useful information from media, taking into account the access trends for each media, while adhering to the search volume restrictions set for each media.

[0009] If we can obtain (collect) a lot of useful information from the media, the information obtained can be used in many areas of business, including formulating marketing strategies and information dissemination strategies for promotions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve at least one of the above objects, the present disclosure may have the following features, for example. One aspect of the present disclosure is a system. The system has an access analysis unit, a search schedule creation unit, and an information search unit. The access analysis unit analyzes, for each piece of media, the access trends of users of that media to that media. The search schedule creation unit creates, for each piece of media, a search schedule including a search volume setting according to a time period based on the access trends to that media and a search volume limit when searching for information held by that media. The information search unit searches for and acquires information held by that media for each piece of media based on the search schedule. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, the present disclosure analyzes access trends to media, and then generates a search schedule taking into account both the access trends and the search volume restrictions imposed when searching for information held by the media. The search schedule thus generated adheres to the search volume restrictions within a set period (e.g., a 24-hour period), while taking into consideration time periods with high access volumes during which a relatively large amount of highly popular (highly popular) and useful information is expected to be generated.

[0012] As described above, the present disclosure makes it possible to acquire (collect) a large amount of useful information from media, taking into account the access trends for each media, while adhering to the search volume restrictions set for each media.

[0013] Methods and programs that achieve the same processing as the above system can also achieve the same effects as the above system. In the form of a program, costs can often be reduced. Programs also make it easier to make design changes to the processing. Other features that the present disclosure may have and the effects corresponding to those features will be disclosed in this specification, claims, or drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a basic functional configuration of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This shows the trend in the amount of highly popular posted information by media and time period. [Figure 3] The overall configuration including the system 101 is shown. [Figure 4] 1 shows a functional configuration of a system 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 shows a computer architecture for implementing the system 101. [Figure 6] 10 shows a flowchart of the processing of an access analysis unit. [Figure 7] 1 shows an access statistics information table. [Figure 8] The access level table is shown. [Figure 9] 10 shows a flowchart of the process of a search schedule creation unit. [Figure 10] 1 shows a search priority table. [Figure 11] The limit value table is shown. [Figure 12] 1 shows a search schedule table. [Figure 13] 10 shows a flowchart of the process of the crawling unit, etc. [Figure 14] An example of used search volume by crawling per time period is shown below. [Figure 15] 1 shows a used search volume table. [Figure 16] 1 shows a search result table. [Figure 17] 10 shows a flowchart of the process of an on-demand search setting unit. [Figure 18] 10 shows an on-demand search volume setting table, etc. [Figure 19] 10 shows a flowchart of the process of an on-demand search unit. [Figure 20] 10 shows a search request reception screen. [Figure 21] 10 shows a flowchart of the processing of a current day search schedule adjustment unit and the like. [Figure 22] 10 shows the adjustment of the search schedule table for the current day. [Figure 23] 10 shows a flowchart of a process of a search priority adjustment unit. [Figure 24] This shows the time difference between time zones. [Figure 25] This section explains the multidimensional approach to access trend analysis and search volume control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the disclosure according to the claims, and not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. The following description and drawings are examples for explaining the present disclosure, and appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made for clarity of explanation. The present disclosure can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural. The position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc., in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings. Each of the systems, devices, or functional units disclosed herein may be integrated into a single piece of hardware, or may be divided into multiple parts that work together to perform their functions. Several systems, devices, or functional units may be integrated into one hardware configuration. Each of the systems, devices, or functional units may be realized by causing a computer to execute software (programs) (as in FIG. 5). Some of the functions of the system, device, or functional unit may be realized by hardware (e.g., hardwired logic or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), and the remaining functions may be realized by executing software (programs). All of the functions of each of the systems, devices, or functional units may be realized by hardware. Some or all of the steps shown in the flowcharts, etc. described in this disclosure may be realized by hardware. One or more systems, devices, or functional units of the present disclosure may be realized using one or more hardware resources. For this purpose, each of the systems, devices, or functional units of the present disclosure may be realized virtually. For example, a virtual computer or container technique may be used. The term "program" may be included in the general concept of software, in which software and hardware resources cooperate to construct a specific system or method of operation according to the intended purpose. In other words, the term "program" is not limited to a specific type or form of program. The program may also be initially recorded in a compressed format. The same reference numbers are used in multiple drawings. In the drawings showing flowcharts, rectangular boxes indicate processing steps, and hexagonal boxes indicate conditional branching steps. In the drawings showing flowcharts, "step" is abbreviated as "S." Furthermore, the display or output aspects shown in the drawings are merely examples. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the display or output aspects may differ from those shown in the drawings. In the following, when the left side of an equation is defined by the right side of the equation, it will be written as "(left side):=(right side)" using the symbol ":=".

[0016] 1. Basic functional configuration (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) 1 shows a basic functional configuration 100 (and the information handled) of a system 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that not all of the functional configurations shown in FIG. 1 are essential. Furthermore, the presence of functional configurations other than those shown in FIG. 1 is not prohibited. In Fig. 1 (and Fig. 4), solid rectangles with the word "unit" in their names indicate functional units. In Fig. 1, dotted rectangles (and in Fig. 4, double-border rectangles (excluding the search request reception screen 2000)) indicate information to be handled.

[0017] In FIG. 1, multiple media may exist outside of system 101. In FIG. 1, three media are shown: media α, media β, and media γ. The number of media available on the network is even greater. Note that the number of media from which system 101 searches and acquires (collects) information may be any number greater than or equal to one. The media may be, for example, a social networking service (SNS), other types of websites not classified as SNS, or other forms of media. Each user (or the device or terminal used by the user) can access each media. For example, each user may obtain an account for the media they wish to use and then use that account to access the media. Alternatively, there may be media for which obtaining an account is not required for use. In Figure 1, users 191 to 197 are shown as examples of users (or the device or terminal used by the user), and the names of the media used (for which each user has an account) are shown as α, β, and γ. As already pointed out, "access" to each media by each user (or device or terminal used by the user) may mean any of "posting," "viewing," "reacting," and "spreading." "Posting" may mean a user (account) posting (publishing) information to a media. "Viewing" may mean a user (account) viewing posted information (posted information) held by a media (e.g., posted (published) by another user (account)). "Reaction" may mean a user (account) reacting (posting an expression of support or opinion) to posted information (posted information) held by a media (e.g., posted (published) by another user (account). "Spreading" may mean a user (account) spreading (reposting or re-posting) posted information (posted information) held by a media (e.g., posted (published) by another user (account)).

[0018] The system 101 acquires, for each medium, access statistical information, which is statistical information regarding access to the medium from the user (account) of the medium. This access statistical information may be, for example, the amount of access per time period (a time period for access statistical analysis, e.g., four hours long) as shown in the access statistical information table 700 in Fig. 7. Furthermore, this amount of access may be any of the amount of "posting," "viewing," "reaction," and "spreading." In the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is assumed that for each medium, system 101 handles access statistics information for the entire set of users (accounts) of that medium and for all posted information (posted information). However, as in Modification A described below, system 101 may handle access statistics information that has been segmented based on some criteria (for example, attributes of users (accounts), attributes of the content of posted information (posted information)).

[0019] The system 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an access analysis unit 402 , a search schedule creation unit 404 , and an information search unit 409 . The access analysis unit 402 analyzes the access trends for each media from users (accounts) of that media. Referring to FIG. 1 , the access analysis unit 402 analyzes the access trends for each of media α, β, and γ that are the target of information acquisition (collection) based on access statistical information regarding accesses from users (accounts) of that media. For example, the access analysis unit 402 may analyze the level of access volume for each media per time period (time period for access trend analysis) to identify high-access time periods (time periods with peak access) for each media. The access trends for each media analyzed by the access analysis unit 402 are shown in FIG. 1 as access trends 111 for media α, access trends 112 for media β, and access trends 113 for media γ. In the example of the access statistical information table 700 in Figure 7, the access analysis unit 402 may identify time period 6A (8:00 p.m. to midnight) for access statistical analysis in medium α, time period 5A (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) for access statistical analysis in medium β, and time period 3A (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) and time period 6A (8:00 p.m. to midnight) for access statistical analysis in medium γ as high access time periods (time periods with peak access).

[0020] The search schedule creation unit 404 creates a search schedule for each media, including search volume settings according to time periods, based on the access trends for that media and the search volume limits when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by that media. Referring to FIG. 1, the search schedule creation unit 404 creates a search schedule 130 (search schedule table 1200 in FIGS. 4 and 12) for each of the media from which information is acquired (collected), among media α, media β, and media γ, based on the access trends (access trends 111 for media α, access trends 112 for media β, and access trends 113 for media γ; in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, this is the access statistical information table 700 and the access level table 800) and the search volume limits (search volume limit 121 for media α, search volume limit 122 for media β, and search volume limit 133 for media γ; limit value table 1100 in FIGS. 4 and 11). The created search schedule 130 (search schedule table 1200) includes search volume settings for each media according to time periods (time periods for search volume control) (for example, for media α, search volume setting 131-1 for media α, search volume setting 131-2 for media α, etc.). When setting the search volume for each media for time periods (time periods for search volume control, e.g., 4 hours long) within a period (e.g., 24 hours long) for which a search volume limit is set, the search schedule creation unit 404 sets the search volume for each time period (e.g., sets an upper limit on the search volume for a time period) so as to reflect the access trends to that media while adhering to the search volume limit for that media.

[0021] Figure 2 shows the trend in the amount of posted information (posted information) that can be searched and acquired (collected) from media for a specific search word (ignoring search volume restrictions set by the media) when assuming that the amount of access to media α, media β, and media γ is as shown in the example of access statistical information table 700 in Figure 7 for each time period (time period for access statistical analysis). As shown in Figures 2 and 7, as a general trend, if the amount of access to a media is relatively high during a certain time period (time period for access statistical analysis), the amount of posted information (posted information) that can be searched and acquired (collected) from the media during that time period also tends to be relatively high. Furthermore, if the level of attention that posted information (posted information) receives is determined by any one of the following: the recency of the posting (posting), the number of views of the posted information (posted information), the number of reactions to the posted information (posted information), or the extent to which the posted information (posted information) is spread, then if the amount of access to the media is relatively high during a certain time period (a time period used for analyzing access statistics), then it is estimated that the proportion of posted information (posted information) that receives high attention (high attention) during that time period (the part marked "I" in Figure 1) will also be relatively high. Based on Figure 2, the search schedule creation unit 404 sets the search volume setting (for example, setting the upper limit of the search volume for a time period) relatively high for each media for the time periods for setting search volume (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.) that correspond to the time periods for access statistical analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.), which are high access time periods (time periods with peak access). As shown in FIG. 24, the time periods for access statistical analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.) and the time periods for search volume setting (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.) are usually the same length, but a time difference can be set between them. However, to avoid complicating the explanation, most of the following embodiments will describe an example in which there is no time difference. The time difference between the time periods for access statistical analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.) and the time periods for search volume setting (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.) will be explained in "5.9. Processing of time period setting unit 426."

[0022] The information search unit 409 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by each medium based on the search schedule for each medium. Referring to Fig. 1, when the information search unit 409 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by each of the media from which information is to be acquired (collected) among media α, media β, and media γ (more specifically, when searching for and acquiring (collecting) information by crawling), the information search unit 409 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by the media while adhering to the search volume setting (for example, setting of an upper limit of the search volume for each time period) for the time period (time period for search volume control) to which the time of the information search and acquisition (collection) belongs, which is included in the search schedule 130 (search schedule table 1200).

[0023] The system 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has the above-described functional configuration, and therefore can have the effects described in the above-described [Effects of the Invention].

[0024] 2. Overall configuration including system 101 (Fig. 3) Fig. 3 shows an overall configuration 300 including a system 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that not all of the functional configurations shown in Fig. 3 are essential. Furthermore, the presence of functional configurations other than those shown in Fig. 3 is not prohibited.

[0025] 3, servers for realizing each of the media, devices and terminals used by users (accounts) who use each of the media, and system 101, which is an embodiment of the present disclosure, are connected, via wired or wireless connections, to network 389. In Fig. 3, media α server 301 for realizing media α, media β server 302 for realizing media β, media γ server 303 for realizing media γ, devices and terminals for users (accounts) 191 to 197, and system 101, which is an embodiment of the present disclosure, are connected, via wired or wireless connections, to network 389. 3, for convenience, the network 389 is shown as one common entity, and a server for realizing one medium is represented as one server. However, as long as each user (account) can access each medium, and the system 101 can search for and acquire (collect) information held by the server, the form of the network 389 and the form of the server for realizing the medium may be arbitrary. 3, the system 101 may search for and acquire (collect) information held by media (including posted information (posted information)) from the media α server 301, the media β server 302, and the media γ server 303 via an application programming interface (API) provided by the operator of the media. Depending on the type of media, the system 101 may search for and acquire (collect) information held by the media (including posted information (posted information)) without using an API.

[0026] 3. Functional configuration of system 101 (Fig. 4) Fig. 4 shows a functional configuration 400 (and information handled) of the system 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that not all of the functional configurations shown in Fig. 4 are essential. Furthermore, the presence of functional configurations other than those shown in Fig. 4 is not prohibited. The content of the processing performed by the system 101 shown in Fig. 4 will be described in detail in the section "5. Processing Performed by an Embodiment of the Present Disclosure" below. In the section "3. Functional Configuration of the System 101", an outline of the content of the processing performed by the system 101 will be described. Note that parts that have already been described with reference to Fig. 1 may be omitted below.

[0027] The system 101 may be capable of realizing, as functional units, one or more of an access statistics information acquisition unit 401, an access analysis unit 402, a search schedule creation unit 404, a limit information acquisition unit 407, an information search unit 409, a used search volume recording unit 411, a search performance recording unit 412, an on-demand search setting unit 413, a user interface control unit 419 (denoted as "UI control unit" in FIG. 4), an on-demand search reception unit 420, a search schedule modification unit 421, a search priority setting unit 422, a current day search schedule initialization unit 423, a current day search schedule adjustment unit 424, a search priority adjustment unit 425, and a time period setting unit 426. The access analysis unit 402 may have, as an internal functional unit, a high-access time period identification unit 403. The search schedule creation unit 404 may have, as internal functional units, a remaining search volume setting unit 405, a total setting value control unit 406, and a high-access time period setting value control unit 408. The information search unit 409 may have, as internal functional units, a crawling unit 410 and an on-demand search unit 418. The on-demand search setting unit 413 may have, as internal functional units, an access level determination unit 414, a slack determination unit 415, an on-demand search volume setting unit 416, and an on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417. These functional units may be realized by executing a program for the functional units. Alternatively, these functional units may be realized by hardware. When these functional units are realized by executing a program, at each time when the system 101 operates, among the functional units shown in FIG. 4, the functional units that execute processing at that time may be realized at that time, while the functional units that do not execute processing at that time may not be realized at that time.

[0028] The system 101 may have one or more of the following tables for holding the information to be handled: an access statistical information table 700 (see FIG. 7), an access high / low table 800 (see FIG. 8), a search priority table 1000 (see FIG. 10), a limit value table 1100 (see FIG. 11), a search schedule table 1200 (see FIG. 12), a used search volume table 1500 (see FIG. 15), a search performance table 1600 (see FIG. 16), an on-demand search volume setting table 1800 (see FIG. 18), and a current day search schedule table 2200 (see FIGS. 12 and 22). Note that some of the information to be handled may be held or managed in the system 101 in a form other than a table. The system 101 may have a search result recording area 499 as an area for recording information (including posted information (published information)) acquired (collected) from media. The information handled by the system 101 or the various tables and recording areas that hold the information may be held in a non-volatile recording medium 503 (recording medium) as a data group 532 in Fig. 5, or may be held in the storage device 502 in Fig. 5. Alternatively, the information handled by the system 101 or the various tables and recording areas that hold the information may be held in a device or recording medium that can communicate with the system 101.

[0029] The system 101 may be capable of presenting a search request reception screen 2000 (see FIG. 20) to a person (system user) who uses the system 101. The search request reception screen 2000 may be displayed on a display or the like by the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) controlling the display or output device 507 in FIG.

[0030] In Figure 4, lines (some of which are broken lines) are shown as appropriate between the control unit, table, recording area, and screen. These lines show the flow of information and control generally. However, there may be flows of information and control between the control unit, table, recording area, and screen other than the lines shown in Figure 4. Also, in Figure 4 (and Figures 6, 9, 13, 17, 19, 21, and 23), some circles have numbers inside them, and circles with the same number are connected.

[0031] The access statistical information acquisition unit 401 acquires, for each piece of media, statistical information (access statistical information) related to accesses to that media from users (accounts) of that media from outside the system 101. The access statistical information acquisition unit 401 records the acquired statistical information (access statistical information) in an access statistical information table 700. Note that the access statistical information acquisition unit 401 can perform processing to acquire statistical information (access statistical information) in parallel with processing by the information search unit 409 to search for and acquire (collect) information held by the media. The access analysis unit 402 performs the processing explained in conjunction with Fig. 1. The access analysis unit 402 performs the processing shown in the flowchart 600 of Fig. 6. The high-access time period identification unit 403, which is an internal functional unit of the access analysis unit 402, identifies high-access time periods (time periods of peak access) in which the volume of access to a medium is evaluated to be high (large) based on the information on the volume of access for each time period for access trend analysis, which is recorded for each medium in the access statistics information table 700. The high-access time period identification unit 403 records information identifying high-access time periods (time periods of peak access) in the access level table 800. The details of the processing performed by the access statistical information acquisition unit 401, the access analysis unit 402, and the high-access time period identification unit 403 will be explained in the section "5.1. Processing by the access analysis unit, etc."

[0032] The search schedule creation unit 404 performs the process described in conjunction with Fig. 1. The search schedule creation unit 404 performs the process shown in the flowchart 900 of Fig. 9. The residual search volume setting unit 405, which is an internal functional unit of the search schedule creation unit 404, sets a residual search volume M for each medium. The residual search volume M set for each medium is the difference obtained by subtracting the total search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for search volume control for each time period (e.g., 4 hours long) included in the period (e.g., 24 hours long) for which the limit value L is set from the search volume limit value L when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the medium. The residual search volume setting unit 405 may set the residual search volume M for each medium based on the search priority set for each medium. Furthermore, the residual search volume setting unit 405 may set the residual search volume M for media with a lower search priority to be larger than the residual search volume M for media with the highest search priority. The remaining search volume setting unit 405 may obtain information on the search priority of each medium from the search priority table 1000. The set value total control unit 406, which is an internal functional unit of the search schedule creation unit 404, controls the search volume set value X (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) so that the sum (ΣX) of the search volume set value X for each time slot for search volume control (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) included in the period in which the search volume limit L for when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the media is set and the residual search volume M is equal to or less than the search volume limit L. (Note that if the residual search volume M for a media is set to zero, the set value total control unit 406 controls the search volume set value X (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) so that the sum of the search volume set value X for each time slot for search volume control included in the period in which the search volume limit L for when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the media is set is equal to or less than the search volume limit L.) The set value total control unit 406 may obtain, for each medium, information on the limit value L of the search volume when searching and obtaining (collecting) information held by that medium from the limit value table 1100. The high access time period setting value control unit 408, which is an internal functional unit of the search schedule creation unit 404, sets the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for each media in the search volume control time period corresponding to the time period for access trend analysis (for example, the length of one time period is 4 hours) that is evaluated to be a high access time period (access peak time period) for that media to be larger than the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for the search volume control time period corresponding to the time period for access trend analysis that is evaluated not to be a high access time period (access peak time period) for that media. The set value total control unit 406 and the high-access time period set value control unit 408 may be an integrated control unit. In other words, in setting the search volume setting value X for each time period (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for search volume control, the process realized by the set value total control unit 406 and the process realized by the high-access time period set value control unit 408 may be performed substantially simultaneously. The search schedule creating unit 404 records the created search schedule 130, which includes information on the search volume setting value X for each time period (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for controlling the search volume for each media, in the search schedule table 1200. The details of the processing performed by the search schedule creation unit 404, the remaining search volume setting unit 405, the total setting value control unit 406, and the high access time period setting value control unit 408 will be explained in "5.2. Processing of the search schedule creation unit."

[0033] The limit information acquisition unit 407 acquires, from outside the system 101, limit information indicating the search volume limit L for each piece of media when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the media. The search volume limit is, for example, an upper limit on the search volume imposed on one account (user) using the media for a period (e.g., 24 hours) set by the media operator. In cases where the media operator provides an application programming interface (API), the search volume limit L is the limit set for the API. The limit information acquisition unit 407, for example, acquires document information related to the API provided by the media operator and extracts information related to the search volume limit L (upper limit) described in the document information. The limit information acquisition unit 407 records the extracted information related to the search volume limit L (upper limit) in the limit table 1100.

[0034] The crawling unit 410, which is an internal functional unit of the information search unit 409, performs the processing explained as the processing of the information search unit 409 in Fig. 1. The crawling unit 410 performs the processing shown in the flowchart 1300 of Fig. 13. When the crawling unit 410 performs crawling to search and acquire (collect) information held by media after specifying a search time and a search word for crawling, it performs crawling so that the search volume is less than the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for the time period for search volume control that includes the search time, as shown in the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 to which the information from the search schedule table 1200 has been transcribed). The crawling unit 410 records information (including posted information (published information)) acquired (collected) from media by crawling in the search result recording area 499. As the crawling unit 410 performs crawling, the used search volume recording unit 411 records in the used search volume table 1500 the used search volume S, which is the search volume already searched for each piece of media since the start (e.g., midnight) of the period (e.g., 24 hours in length) for which the search volume limit value L is set when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by that media (updates the information on the used search volume S). As the crawling unit 410 executes crawling, the search result recording unit 412 records, for each media, the results of searches for information held by the media by the information searching unit 409 (crawling unit 410) in the search result table 1600. Here, the search results are either the number of hits in the search or the level of an index indicating the attention level of the information hit in the search. In addition, the index indicating the attention level is either the recency of the posting time (publication time) of the information hit in the search, the number of times the posted information (posted information) of the media has been viewed by users of the media, the number of reactions by users of the media to the posted information (posted information), or the number of times the posted information (posted information) of the media has been shared by users of the media. The details of the processing performed by the crawling unit 410, used search volume recording unit 411, and search result recording unit 412 will be explained in the section "5.3. Processing of crawling unit, etc.".

[0035] The on-demand search setting unit 413 performs settings when the on-demand search unit 418 executes an on-demand search in response to a request for an on-demand search made to the system 101 by a user of the system 101 (a system user) via the search request reception screen 2000. The on-demand search setting unit 413 performs the processing shown in the flowchart 1700 of FIG. The access level determination unit 414, which is an internal functional unit of the on-demand search setting unit 413, determines for each piece of media whether a time period for access trend analysis (e.g., four hours long) corresponding to a time period for search volume control (e.g., four hours long) that includes the time at which an on-demand search is executed is a high-access time period (access peak time period) for the media. The access level determination unit 414 may make this determination based on information recorded in the access level table 800 indicating whether each time period is a high-access time period (access peak time period). The margin determination unit 415, which is an internal functional unit of the on-demand search setting unit 413, determines whether there is margin for setting an on-demand search volume Y for on-demand searching for each medium so that the total search volume will be equal to or less than the limit value L of the search volume set for searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by that medium during a period (e.g., 24 hours) for which the limit value L is set. The margin determination unit 415 may make this determination based on information on the limit value L of the search volume for each medium recorded in the limit value table 1100, information on the used search volume S for each medium recorded in the used search volume table 1500, and information on the set value X of the search volume (upper limit of the search volume for each time period) for scheduled crawling for each medium recorded in the search schedule table 1200 (to the current day search schedule table 2200 into which the information from the table 1200 has been transcribed). The on-demand search volume setting unit 416, which is an internal functional unit of the on-demand search setting unit 413, sets the on-demand search volume Y for each medium when the access high / low determination unit 414 determines that the medium is in a high access time period (peak access time period) and the margin determination unit 415 determines that there is margin for setting the on-demand search volume Y. The on-demand search volume forcing setting unit 417, which is an internal functional unit of the on-demand search setting unit 413, sets the on-demand search volume Y (increment ΔY) for one of the media when the total on-demand search volume Y set by the on-demand search volume setting unit 416 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The on-demand search volume forcing setting unit 417 forcibly reduces the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) shown in the search schedule table 1200, which is set for a search volume control time slot after the search volume control time slot including the time when the on-demand search is performed, within the period set for the search volume limit value L when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the media, and can set the reduced search volume F as the increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y set for the media. When performing the above processing, the on-demand search volume forcing setting unit 417 may read and write information from and to the current day search schedule table 2200. The on-demand search setting unit 413 may record information indicating the content of settings for on-demand searching in the on-demand search volume setting table 1800. The details of the processing performed by the on-demand search setting unit 413, the access level determination unit 414, the margin determination unit 415, the on-demand search volume setting unit 416, and the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 will be explained in section "5.4. Processing by the on-demand search setting unit."

[0036] The on-demand search unit 418, which is an internal functional unit of the information search unit 409, performs an on-demand search in which an on-demand search word is specified and information held by media is searched for and acquired (collected) on demand. When performing an on-demand search for each piece of media, the on-demand search unit 418 performs the search volume for that piece of media so that the search volume is equal to or less than the on-demand search volume Y set for that piece of media. The on-demand search unit 418 performs the process shown in flowchart 1900 in Fig. 19. When instructed to perform an on-demand search by the on-demand search setting unit 413, the on-demand search unit 418 performs an on-demand search using information held in the on-demand search volume setting table 1800 in which the on-demand search setting unit 413 has recorded the settings. The on-demand search unit 418 records information (including posted information (published information)) acquired (collected) from media through on-demand searches in the search result recording area 499. In conjunction with the execution of an on-demand search by the on-demand search unit 418, the used search volume recording unit 411 records in the used search volume table 1500 (updates the information on the used search volume S) the used search volume S, which is the search volume already searched for each piece of media since the start (e.g., midnight) of the period (e.g., 24 hours) for which the search volume limit value L is set when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by that media. In conjunction with the execution of an on-demand search by the on-demand search unit 418, the search result recording unit 412 records, for each media, the results of searches for information held by that media by the information search unit 409 (of the on-demand search unit 418) in the search result table 1600. Here, the search result is either the number of hits in the search or the level of an index indicating the attention level of the information hit in the search. In addition, the index indicating the attention level is either the recency of the posting time (publication time) of the information hit in the search, the number of times the posted information (posted information) of the media has been viewed by users of that media, the number of reactions by users of that media to the posted information (posted information), or the number of times the posted information (posted information) of the media has been shared by users of that media. The details of the processes performed by the on-demand search unit 418, used search volume recording unit 411, and search performance recording unit 412 will be explained in section "5.5. Processing of on-demand search unit."

[0037] The user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) controls the display of a search request reception screen 2000, which is a screen for receiving a request from a person (system user) using the system 101 to search for and acquire (collect) information held by media. The search request reception screen 2000 may be, for example, the example shown in FIG. 20, but may also be displayed in other modes. The search request reception screen 2000 may be displayed on the display of FIG. 5 or a display included in the output device 507. Alternatively, the search request reception screen 2000 may be displayed on some display device that the system 101 can control or communicate with. As shown in FIG. 20, the search request reception screen 2000 may display one or more of an on-demand search request user interface for receiving on-demand search words, a crawling setting editing user interface for editing information contained in the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200), a search policy display user interface for displaying information regarding the search policy including information regarding the search volume related to crawling or on-demand search (for example, information regarding the search volume setting value X or Y (upper limit of search volume)), and a search result display user interface for displaying search results obtained by crawling or on-demand search.

[0038] When an on-demand search request including an on-demand search word is received from a user of the system 101 (a system user) via the search request reception screen 2000, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) transmits the on-demand search request to the on-demand search reception unit 420. In response to receiving the on-demand search request, the on-demand search reception unit 420 instructs the on-demand search setting unit 413 to make settings for an on-demand search.

[0039] When an input to edit information included in the search schedule table 1200 (or current day search schedule table 2200) is received from a person (system user) using the system 101 via the search request reception screen 2000, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) instructs the search schedule correction unit 421 to edit (correct) the information held in the search schedule table 1200 (or current day search schedule table 2200). In response to receiving the instruction to edit (correct), the search schedule correction unit 421 edits (inputs) the information included in the search schedule table 1200 (or current day search schedule table 2200). The user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) may be capable of performing control to display a dedicated screen for creating the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) (which is a screen (user interface) in a different mode from the search request reception screen 2000). When a system user (system user) inputs via the dedicated screen, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) may instruct the search schedule modification unit 421 to edit (modify) the information held in the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) (or create the search schedule table 1200). In this case, too, the search schedule modification unit 421 may edit (input) the information included in the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) or create the search schedule table 1200 in response to receiving the instruction to edit (modify) (or create). In this way, the degree of freedom in setting the search schedule 130 included in the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) is increased.

[0040] When an input to set (modify) the search priority of each medium is received from a user of the system 101 (a system user) via the search request reception screen 2000, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) instructs the search priority setting unit 422 to edit (modify) the information held in the search priority table 1000. In response to receiving the instruction to edit (modify), the search priority setting unit 422 edits (modifies) the information included in the search priority table 1000 (information on the search priority for each medium). The user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) may be capable of performing control to display a dedicated screen for creating the search priority table 1000 (which is a screen (user interface) in a different mode from the search request reception screen 2000). When a system user (system user) inputs via the dedicated screen, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) may instruct the search priority setting unit 422 to edit (modify) the information held in the search priority table 1000 (or create the search priority table 1000). In this case, too, the search priority setting unit 422 may edit (input) the information included in the search priority table 1000 or create the search priority table 1000 in response to receiving the instruction to edit (modify) (or create).

[0041] Details of the processing performed by the user interface control unit 419, on-demand search reception unit 420, search schedule modification unit 421, and search priority setting unit 422 in conjunction with the use of the search request reception screen 2000 are described in section "5.6. Processing related to the search request reception screen."

[0042] The current day search schedule initialization unit 423 transcribes the information held in the search schedule table 1200 into the current day search schedule table 2200 each time the start (e.g., midnight) of a period (e.g., 24 hours) for which a search volume limit value L is set for searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by each media is reached. The used search volume recording unit 411, which has already been mentioned, can also be said to record, for each media, the used search volume S, which is the search volume already searched after the start of the period (for example, midnight) in which the search volume limit value L was set when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by that media, in the used search volume table 1500. The current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 adjusts the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for each time period for search volume control (for example, the length of a time period is 4 hours) within the period for which the search volume limit value L is set, based on the used search volume S for each media, and reflects the adjustment result in the current day search schedule table 2200. The current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 (and the current day search schedule initialization unit 423) performs the processing shown in the flowchart 2100 in FIG. The details of the processing performed by the current day search schedule initialization unit 423 and the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 will be explained in the section "5.7. Processing by the current day search schedule adjustment unit."

[0043] The search priority adjustment unit 425 adjusts the search priority of a medium in accordance with the search results for that medium, and records the adjustment result in the search priority table 1000. The search priority adjustment unit 425 may read information regarding the search results for the medium from the search result table 1600. The details of the processing performed by the search priority adjustment unit 425 will be explained in the section "5.8. Processing by the search priority adjustment unit 425."

[0044] The time period setting unit 426 receives a time period setting input specifying the setting of a time period including the length of the time period, and sets the time period including the length of the time period based on the received time period setting input. The "time period" here refers to the time period for access statistics analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.) or the time period for search volume control (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.). In addition to setting the length of a time period, the time period setting unit 426 may also accept setting of the time difference between the time periods for access statistics analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.) and the time periods for search volume control (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.). The time difference is illustrated in FIG. 24. In order to avoid complicating the explanation, most of the descriptions of the embodiments of the present disclosure deal with a case in which the length of one time period is 4 hours, there is no time difference between the time periods for access statistical analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.) and the time periods for search volume control (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.), and the length of the period in which the search volume limit value L is set is 24 hours. More specifically, the period for which the search volume limit value L is set starts at midnight and ends at midnight, and the time periods for access statistical analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.) and the time periods for search volume control (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.) are both composed of a first time period (time period 1A, time period 1C) starting at midnight and ending at 4:00, a second time period (time period 2A, time period 2C) starting at 4:00 and ending at 8:00, a third time period (time period 3A, time period 3C) starting at 8:00 and ending at 12:00, a fourth time period (time period 4A, time period 4C) starting at 12:00 and ending at 16:00, a fifth time period (time period 5A, time period 5C) starting at 16:00 and ending at 20:00, and a sixth time period (time period 6A, time period 6C) starting at 20:00 and ending at midnight. Naturally, the length of the period / time slot and the length of the time difference between the two time slots may be arbitrary. (However, the length of the period for which the search volume limit value L is set, as well as the start and end dates, are set by the media operator, not by the system 101.) The details of the processing performed by the time period setting unit 426 will be explained in section "5.9. Processing by the time period setting unit 426."

[0045] 4. Computer Architecture for Implementing Embodiments of the Present Disclosure (FIG. 5) 5 illustrates a computer architecture 500 for implementing the system 101 of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer architecture 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be referred to as an information processing device or an information processing system. To realize the system 101, some or all of the processing unit 501, storage device 502, non-volatile storage medium (storage device) 503, external storage medium drive 504, input device 506, display or output device 507, communication device 508, external input / output port 509, and reading device 510 may be interconnected via an interconnection unit 511. (Note that some or all of the interconnection unit 511 may be a network. In that case, the system 101 is realized by a plurality of devices connected via the network.) The arithmetic processing device 501 may be, for example, a processor. Examples of this processor include a CPU, an MPU, or a GPU. Alternatively, the processor referred to here may be any other semiconductor device that executes predetermined processing. Furthermore, the arithmetic processing device 501 may be one or more (micro)processors. For example, the arithmetic processing device 501 may be a multi-core processor having multiple processing cores (CPU cores). The storage device 502 may be, for example, a memory. The non-volatile recording medium (recording device) 503 may be, for example, a non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory) or a non-volatile disk device. The external recording medium drive 504 may be, for example, a disk drive. The input device 506 may be, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, an imaging device, a sensor, a touch panel, or a pointing device. The display or output device 507 may be, for example, a display, a printer, or a speaker. The communication device 508 may be, for example, a communication device for wired communication or a communication device for wireless communication. The communication device 508 may be a network interface device (NIC) that controls communication with other systems, devices, terminals, or servers according to a predetermined protocol. The interconnection unit 511 may be, for example, a bus or a crossbar switch. (As described above, part or all of the interconnection unit 511 may be a network.)

[0046] The non-volatile recording medium (recording device) 503 may record various programs included in the program group 531 (for example, programs for realizing the functional configuration related to the present disclosure; for example, various programs for implementing each of the functional units realized in the system 101), various data groups included in the data group 532, or information included in the various information 533. The program group 531 may include various programs for realizing the functional units indicated as "units" in the functional configuration diagrams of Figures 1 and 4. Some of the above programs may be integrated into one program. Also, any of the above programs may be divided into multiple programs. The data group 532 may include information (data, etc.) handled by the above-mentioned functional units. For example, the data group 532 may include information constituting each of the various "tables" and "search result recording area 499" in the functional configuration diagram of FIG. 4. (Note that some or all of the information contained in the various "tables" and "search result recording area 499" may be stored in the storage device 502 (memory).) Alternatively, some or all of the various programs included in the program group 531, the various data groups included in the data group 532, or the information included in the various information 533 may be obtained from outside the configuration shown in FIG. 5.

[0047] The external recording medium drive 504 can be connected to an external recording medium 505. The external recording medium 505 may be, for example, a portable recording disk (such as a DVD), an IC card, an SD card, a nonvolatile memory (such as a flash memory), or a portable hard disk. Various programs included in the program group 531, various data included in the data group 532, or information similar to the information included in the various information 533 may be transferred and stored from the external recording medium 505 to the nonvolatile recording medium (recording device) 503 or the storage device 502. The external recording medium 505 may be used to record programs and data handled in the system 101. The external recording medium drive 504 and the external recording medium 505 may be connected to the system 101 shown in FIG. 5 via a network. The various programs included in the program group 531, the various data included in the data group 532, or the information included in the various information 533 may be brought via the communication device 508, the external input / output port 509, the input device 506, or the reading device 510, and recorded or stored in the non-volatile recording medium (recording device) 503 or the memory device 502.

[0048] In order for the architecture of FIG. 5 to function as the system 101, each functional unit within the system 101, or a portion of each functional unit (to execute one or a series of processes (steps)), various programs included in the program group 531 may be loaded into the storage device 502 (for example, from a non-volatile recording medium (recording device) 503). The loaded program is indicated by 521 in FIG. 5. The arithmetic processing device 501 may then execute the program 521 (using, as necessary, various data and the like included in the data group 532 stored in the non-volatile recording medium (recording device) 503, or information included in the various information 533). Execution of the program 521 realizes the function of the system 101, each functional unit within the system 101, or a portion of each functional unit (to execute one or a series of processes (steps)). At this time, various buffers 523 temporarily formed in the storage device 502 may also be used as appropriate.

[0049] 5. Processing performed by the embodiment of the present disclosure The following describes the processing performed by an embodiment of the present disclosure (system 101). Note that it is not necessary to realize all of the functional configurations and perform all of the processing described below. Furthermore, it is not prohibited to realize functional configurations and perform processing other than the functional configurations and processing described below. Furthermore, the steps of the processes described below may be combined to form a method executed by a system (information processing device or information processing system).

[0050] 5-1. Processing of the access analysis unit, etc. (Figures 6, 7, 8, and 4) Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the access analysis unit 402 etc. Below, the processing will be explained in the order shown in Fig. 6, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the access statistical information table 700 shown in Fig. 7, and the access level table 800 shown in Fig. 8. Note that each of the processing steps performed by the access analysis unit 402 in the flowchart in Fig. 6 may be understood to form an "access analysis step." The functions described below are realized, so that for each media, the access trends from users of that media can be analyzed. More specifically, for each media, it is possible to identify which of the multiple time periods (time periods for access statistical analysis) is the high-access time period (time period of peak access). This provides reference information for determining the search volume setting value X for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time period) and creating a search schedule 130.

[0051] 6, the access analysis unit 402 determines whether the information stored in the access statistical information table 700 has been updated. If the determination result in step 601 is affirmative, control proceeds to step 602. If the determination result in step 601 is negative, step 601 is repeated. FIG. 7 shows an access statistics table 700. The access statistics table 700 may record the amount of access to a medium from a user (account) of the medium for each medium and for each time period (time period for access statistics analysis). As already shown, "access" to a medium may include "posting," "viewing," "reaction," and "spreading." The amount of "access" recorded in the access statistics table 700 may be the amount related to one or more of "posting," "viewing," "reaction," and "spreading." Furthermore, the amount of access may be the data size of the information accessed, the number of accesses (counts), or both. In FIG. 7, Z is an arbitrary integer. In the example of FIG. 7 (and in most of the explanations of the embodiments of the present disclosure), the time periods for access statistical analysis consist of time period 1A from midnight to 4:00, time period 2A from 4:00 to 8:00, time period 3A from 8:00 to 12:00, time period 4A from 12:00 to 16:00, time period 5A from 16:00 to 20:00, and time period 6A from 20:00 to 24:00. However, as pointed out later in "5.9. Processing of time period setting unit 426," the length of the time period and the start and end times of the time period can be set arbitrarily. The access statistical information table 700 is updated with information acquired by the access statistical information acquisition unit 401. The access statistical information acquisition unit 401 may acquire statistical information on the amount of access from users of each piece of media from some information source accessible via the network 389. The information source may be a website provided by the operator of the media, or a website provided by a third party. The access statistical information acquisition unit 401 may acquire the statistical information on the amount of access at any time. In some cases, the access statistical information acquisition unit 401 may acquire the statistical information on the amount of access in parallel with the process in which the information search unit 409 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by the media. Since the access statistical information acquisition unit 401 acquires statistical information on the amount of access at any time, the information held in the access statistical information table 700 is always close to the latest, and therefore the processing of the system 101 that performs processing using the information held in the access statistical information table 700 can also become more appropriate. Furthermore, if the access statistical information table 700 has a form as shown in FIG. 7, the access analysis unit 402 can easily perform access statistical analysis at the granularity of each medium and each time period (time period for access statistical analysis).

[0052] In step 602 in FIG. 6, the access analysis unit 402 selects one medium that has not yet been selected in the flowchart 600 in FIG. 6 from among the media that the access analysis unit 402 is to analyze. 6, the high-access time slot identifying unit 403, which is an internal functional unit of the access analysis unit 402, identifies which time slots (time slots for access statistical analysis) are high-access time slots (time slots of peak access) for the media selected in step 602, based on information on the amount of access for each time slot (time slots for access statistical analysis) recorded in the access statistical information table 700. In the example of FIG. 7, the high-access time slot identifying unit 403 may identify time slot 6A (8 PM to midnight) for media α, time slot 5A (4 PM to 8 PM) for media β, and time slot 3A (8 AM to 12 PM) and time slot 6A (8 PM to midnight) for media γ as high-access time slots (time slots of peak access). The criteria for determining whether the high-access time slot identifying unit 403 determines a time slot (a time slot for access statistical analysis) to be a high-access time slot (a time slot with peak access) may be determined as appropriate. For example, when the amount of access during a time slot is greater (more) than the amount of access during the time slots before and after the time slot, and reaches a certain maximum (peak), the time slot may be determined to be a high-access time slot (a time slot with peak access). Alternatively, when the amount of access during a time slot is greater (more) than the amount of access during any other time slot, and reaches its maximum, the time slot may be determined to be a high-access time slot (a time slot with peak access). Alternatively, when the amount of access during a time slot is greater than a predetermined value (threshold) or equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold), the time slot may be determined to be a high-access time slot (a time slot with peak access).

[0053] In step 604 of FIG. 6, the high-access time period identifying unit 403 records information indicating the determination result in step 603 in the high-access time period table 800. FIG. 8 shows an access level table 800. The access level table 800 may record, for each medium and time period (time period for access statistical analysis), a flag indicating whether the time period is a high access time period (time period with peak access). In the example of FIG. 8, if it is a high access time period (time period with peak access), a value of "1" is recorded, and if it is not a high access time period (time period with peak access), a value of "0" is recorded. Naturally, the value setting may be reversed. Furthermore, instead of a flag, information indicating some kind of character string (for example, information indicating the value "true" or the value "false") may be recorded in the access level table 800.

[0054] 6, the access analysis unit 402 determines whether all of the media to be analyzed have been selected in step 601. If the determination result in step 605 is affirmative, control is returned to step 601. If the determination result in step 605 is negative, control is returned to step 602.

[0055] 5-2. Processing of the search schedule creation unit (Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 4, Fig. 7, Fig. 8) Fig. 9 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the search schedule creation unit 404. Below, the processing will be explained in the order shown in Fig. 9, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the search priority table 1000 shown in Fig. 10, the limit value table 1100 shown in Fig. 11, the search schedule table 1200 shown in Fig. 12, the access statistical information table 700 shown in Fig. 7, and the access level table 800 shown in Fig. 8. It should be noted that each of the processing steps performed by the search schedule creation unit 404 in the flowchart in Fig. 9 may be understood to form a "search schedule creation step." The functions described below are realized, so that for each media, a search volume setting value X for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time period) can be determined based on the access trends (information on the amount of access for each time period), the imposed search volume limit value L, and the set search priority.

[0056] In step 901 of Fig. 9, the search schedule creation unit 404 determines whether the information recorded in the access statistics information table 700 has been updated. The information here may be information on the amount of access for each time period (time period for access statistics analysis) as shown in Fig. 7. If the determination result of step 901 is positive, control transitions to step 902. If the determination result of step 901 is negative, step 901 is repeated. In step 902 of Fig. 9, the search schedule creation unit 404 determines whether the update of the information recorded in the access level table 800 accompanying the update of the information recorded in the access statistics information table 700 has been completed. The information here may be information as to whether or not each time period (time period for access statistics analysis) as shown in Fig. 8 is a high-access time period (a time period of peak access). If the determination result in step 902 is positive, control transitions to step 903. If the determination result in step 902 is negative, step 902 is repeated. Note that the determination result in step 902 may also be positive if it is determined that updating the information recorded in the access level table 800 accompanying the update of the information recorded in the access statistics information table 700 is substantially unnecessary. In step 903 of Figure 9, the search schedule creation unit 404 selects one media that has not yet been selected in the flowchart 900 of Figure 9 from the media for which a search schedule 130 including the set value X of search volume for crawling (upper limit of search volume for a time period) is to be created.

[0057] 9, the remaining search volume setting unit 405, which is an internal functional unit of the search schedule creation unit 404, determines whether the search priority assigned by the system 101 to the media selected in step 903 is a high rank (for example, the highest rank). If the determination result in step 904 is positive, control transitions to step 905. If the determination result in step 904 is negative, control transitions to step 906. The remaining search volume setting unit 405 may obtain information on the search priority assigned to each media from the search priority table 1000. FIG. 10 shows a search priority table 1000. The search priority table 1000 records information on search priorities assigned by the system 101 to each piece of media. In the example of FIG. 10, the highest search priority is assigned to media α, a medium search priority is assigned to media β, and a low search priority is assigned to media γ. In the example of FIG. 10, the search priority information is set to values ​​"1," "2," and "3," but other information types (e.g., values ​​"high," "middle," and "low") may also be used. The number of possible search priority values ​​(3 in the example of FIG. 10) may also be set arbitrarily. The search priority may reflect, for example, the intention of a person (system user) using the system 101 as to which media he or she would like to prioritize when searching for and acquiring (collecting) information (including posted information (published information)). In order to reflect the intention of the person (system user) using the system 101 regarding the search priority for each media, the search priority setting unit 422 may accept an input from the person (system user) using the system 101 specifying the search priority for each media, and record the search priority for each media in the search priority table 1000 so as to reflect the content of the input. 10 shows a column called "Reference" for later explanation, and also shows the remaining search volume M, which will be explained later. However, the search priority table 1000 itself does not need to hold information about the remaining search volume M.

[0058] 9, the residual search volume setting unit 405 sets a residual search volume M for media that have been determined to have been assigned a high rank (e.g., the highest rank) of search priority in step 904. The residual search volume M here is a value obtained by subtracting the total ΣX of the search volume setting values ​​X (upper limit of search volume for each time period (e.g., 4 hours long)) set by the system 101 (for crawling) from the search volume limit L (per account) imposed by the operator of the media for a period (e.g., 24 hours long) set by the operator of the media. The residual search volume setting unit 405 may set the residual search volume M to a relatively small value for media with a high (e.g., highest) search priority. In the example shown as "Reference" in FIG. 10, the value of the residual search volume M for media α, which has the highest search priority, is set to zero. In other words, if the search volume limit value L for media α is 100 as shown in FIG. 11, the total ΣX of the search volume setting values ​​X (upper limit of search volume for each time period) (for crawling) set by the system 101 for media α is 100. As described above, for media with a high rank (e.g., the highest rank) of search priority, the system 101 sets as large a total ΣX as possible as the set value X of the search volume (for crawling) (upper limit of search volume for each time period), thereby maximizing the search and acquisition (collection) of information held by the media with a high rank (e.g., the highest rank) of search priority by crawling. After step 905, control is transferred to step 907.

[0059] In step 906 of Figure 9, the residual search volume setting unit 405 sets a residual search volume M for media that was determined in step 904 not to have been assigned a high rank (e.g., the highest rank) search priority (e.g., assigned a medium or low rank search priority). The residual search volume setting unit 405 may set the residual search volume M relatively large for media that do not have a high (e.g., highest) search priority (e.g., media that are assigned a medium or low search priority). In the example shown as "Reference" in FIG. 10, the residual search volume M for media β, which has a medium priority, and media γ, which has a low search priority, is set to 25. That is, if the search volume limit value L for media β is 90 as shown in FIG. 11, the total ΣX of the search volume setting values ​​X (upper limit of search volume for each time period) (for crawling) set by the system 101 for media β is 65. Also, if the search volume limit value L for media γ is 105 as shown in FIG. 11, the total ΣX of the search volume setting values ​​X (upper limit of search volume for each time period) (for crawling) set by the system 101 for media γ is 80. As described above, for media that do not have a high-rank (e.g., the highest) search priority (for example, media that are assigned a medium or low search priority), the total ΣX of the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for each time period) set by the system 101 (for crawling) is set lower than the search volume limit value L (to allow for some leeway in the search volume), so that when there is a request for on-demand search, as will be explained later, for media that do not have a high-rank (e.g., the highest) search priority (for example, media that are assigned a medium or low search priority), the search volume that has been set aside in advance can be more easily assigned as the on-demand search volume Y. After step 906, control transitions to step 907.

[0060] 9, the search schedule creation unit 404 sets a search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for crawling for each time period (time period for controlling search volume) for the media selected in step 903. When setting this, the search schedule creation unit 404 operates so as to observe the following two constraints. The first constraint that the search schedule creation unit 404 must observe is that the sum of the set value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) of search volume (for crawling) for each time period (time period for search volume control), ΣX, and the residual search volume M, must not exceed the search volume limit value L. Expressed as a formula, this requires observing ΣX + M ≦ L. To observe this first constraint, a set value total control unit 406, which is an internal functional unit of the search schedule creation unit 404, may be operated. The search schedule creating unit 104 (or the set value total control unit 406) may acquire the search volume limit value L from the limit value table 1100 in FIG.

[0061] 11 shows a limit value table 1100. The limit value table 1100 records, for each piece of media, information on the search volume limit value L imposed by the operator of that media. This search volume limit value L may indicate the upper limit of the amount of information (search volume) held by the media that one account can search and obtain (collect) within a period (e.g., 24 hours) set by the operator of the media. The limit value information acquisition unit 407 may, for example, extract information on the search volume limit value L from document materials provided by the media operator on the network 389, and record the extracted information on the search volume limit value L in the limit value table 1100.

[0062] As a specific example that observes the first constraint, as shown in search schedule table 1200 in Figure 12, the sum ΣX of the search volume setting values ​​X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for each time period (for crawling) for search volume control is 100 (=15+5+5+10+15+50) for medium α, 65 (=10+5+5+10+25+10) for medium β, and 80 (=10+5+25+10+5+25) for medium γ, while the residual search volume M is zero for medium α, 25 for medium β, and 25 for medium γ, as shown for reference in Figure 10. The sum ΣX+M is 100 for medium α, 90 for medium β, and 105 for medium γ, and these values ​​do not exceed the search volume limit value L (100 for medium α, 90 for medium β, and 105 for medium γ) as shown in Figure 11.

[0063] The second constraint that search schedule creation unit 404 must observe is that the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) (for crawling) for a time period for search volume control, which corresponds to a high-access time period (access peak time period) among the time periods for access statistics analysis, must be set relatively larger (higher) than the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for a time period for search volume control, which corresponds to a time period that is not a high-access time period (access peak time period) among the time periods for access statistics analysis. To observe this second constraint, high-access time period setting value control unit 408, which is an internal functional unit of search schedule creation unit 404, may be operated.

[0064] To give a specific example of compliance with the second constraint, as shown in the access statistical information table 700 of FIG. 7 and the access level table 800 of FIG. 8, the high access time period (access peak time period) is time period 6A (20:00 to 24:00) for medium α, time period 5A (16:00 to 20:00) for medium β, and time period 3A (4:00 to 8:00) and time period 6A (20:00 to 24:00) for medium γ, while as shown in the search schedule table 1200 of FIG. 12, the search volume constraint is satisfied. The time periods for which the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) (for crawling) for each time period of interest (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.) is set relatively high are time period 6C (8pm to midnight) (corresponding to time period 6A) for media α, time period 5C (4pm to 8pm) (corresponding to time period 5A) for media β, and time period 3C (4am to 8am) (corresponding to time period 3A) and time period 6C (8pm to midnight) (corresponding to time period 6A) for media γ.

[0065] As described above, the search schedule creation unit 404 sets a search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for crawling for each time period (time period for search volume control) while observing the first and second constraints. This makes it possible to simultaneously search for and acquire (collect) information held by the media within the search volume limit value L imposed by the operator of the media, and to search for and acquire (collect) more information by crawling during time periods when it is expected that a lot of highly popular (highly popular) information (including posted information (published information)) can be acquired.

[0066] In step 908 of FIG. 9, the search schedule creation unit 404 records information on the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for crawling for each time period (time period for search volume control) set in step 907 in the search schedule table 1200. FIG. 12 shows a search schedule table 1200. The search schedule table 1200 records, for each medium, information on the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for crawling for each time period (time period for search volume control). The search schedule table 1200 may also record, for each medium, information on other crawling settings. As shown in FIG. 12, the information on other crawling settings may be, for example, one or more of the following: a "search time," which is the time at which crawling is performed; a "search word," which is a search word for crawling; and a "search criterion," which is a criterion for determining which information among information that may be found in a search using the crawling search word is to be preferentially acquired (collected). One or more "search words" may be set for one medium. Furthermore, one or more "search times" may be set for one "search word." The "search criteria" may be, for example, any of the following: "posting time" indicating the recency of the posting time (publication time), "number of views" indicating the number of views, "number of reactions" indicating the number of reactions, and "number of shares" indicating the number of shares. Note that there may be other "search criteria" besides those mentioned above.

[0067] 9, the search schedule creation unit 404 determines whether all of the media for which the search schedule 130 is to be created, including the set value X of the search volume for crawling (the upper limit of the search volume for each time period), have been selected in step 903. If the determination result in step 909 is positive, control is returned to step 901. If the determination result in step 909 is negative, control is returned to step 903.

[0068] 5-3. Processing of crawling section etc. (Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15, Figure 16, Figure 4, Figure 12) Fig. 13 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the crawling unit 410 etc. Below, the processing will be explained in the order shown in Fig. 13, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the example of used search volume Δc due to crawling for each time period shown in Fig. 14, the used search volume table 1500 shown in Fig. 15, the search performance table shown in Fig. 16, and the search schedule table 1200 shown in Fig. 12. The functions described below are realized, so that the search volume setting value X for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time period) shown in the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 to which the information is transcribed) can be observed while the search and acquisition (collection) of information held by media through crawling can be carried out. In addition, when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by media through crawling, information on the amount of information actually acquired (collected) (search volume used) and information on search results can also be recorded.

[0069] In step 1301 of Figure 13, the crawling unit 410 determines whether the search time, which is the time to perform crawling, has arrived. If the determination result in step 1301 is positive, control transitions to step 1302. If the determination result in step 1301 is negative, step 1301 is repeated. The crawling unit 410 may make the determination in step 1301 based on whether any of the times indicated in the "search time" in the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 to which the information from the search schedule table 1200 has been transcribed) has arrived. In step 1302 (information search step) of FIG. 13, the crawling unit 410 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by the media, for example, from a server implementing the media. In this case, the crawling unit 410 may search for and acquire (collect) information held by the media via an application programming interface (API) provided by the operator of the media. The crawling unit 410 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by the media in accordance with the settings indicated by the information recorded in the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 into which the information has been transcribed). The settings indicated by the information recorded in the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 into which the information has been transcribed) are the "search word," "search criteria," and "search volume setting value X for crawling per time period (upper limit of search volume)" corresponding to the "search time" determined to have arrived, as shown in FIG. 12. In other words, the crawling unit 410 searches for information held by the media using the crawling search words indicated by the "search words," and acquires (collects) information that may be found by the search up to the amount indicated by the "set value X of search volume for crawling per time period (upper limit of search volume)," in accordance with the ranking assigned to the information based on the criteria indicated by the "search criteria." 13, the crawling unit 410 receives information (including posted information (published information)) to be acquired (collected) from the server implementing the media in conjunction with the search and acquisition (collection) executed in step 1302. The crawling unit 410 records (stores) the received information (including posted information (published information)) in the search result recording area 499.

[0070] In step 1304 of Figure 13, the used search volume recording unit 411 updates the used search volume table 1500 based on the search volume Δc (the used search volume for one crawling (or one time period)), which is the amount of information actually acquired (collected) in steps 1302 and 1303.

[0071] Figure 14 shows an example 1400 of used search volume Δc due to crawling for each media per time period (time period for search volume control). Figure 13 shows example values ​​of Δc and c for each media and per time period (time period for search volume control). Here, Δc indicates the amount of information (search volume) actually acquired (collected) by crawling performed within that time period. c indicates "ΣΔc (past)," which is the sum of Δc from the start of time period 1C (for example, midnight) to the end of that time period. The example in Figure 14 is based on the values ​​of "search time" and "search volume setting value X for crawling (upper limit of search volume per time period)" recorded in the search schedule table 1200 shown in Figure 12 (to which the information is transcribed into the current day search schedule table 2200). In the example of Fig. 14, in crawling performed in time slot 4C (12:00-16:00) for media β (crawling performed at 14:00), the set value X of the search volume for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) was "10", but the amount of information (search volume) Δc acquired (collected) by actual crawling remained at "5" (not reaching the upper limit of "10"). In the example of Fig. 14, except for this case, the value of the amount of information (search volume) Δc acquired (collected) by actual crawling is the upper limit indicated by the set value X of the search volume for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) set in Fig. 12. Furthermore, even if the set value X of the search volume for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) is set to a non-zero value in advance, if a search time for crawling is not set for a certain time slot (time slot for search volume control) in a certain medium, the value of Δc will be zero for that certain time slot in that certain medium. In the examples of Figures 12 and 14, time slot 1C (midnight to 4am), time slot 2C (4am to 8am), and time slot 3C (8am to 12pm) in media β, and time slot 2C (4am to 8am) and time slot 5C (4pm to 8pm) in media γ are cases where a search time for crawling is not set.

[0072] Figure 15 shows a used search volume table 1500. The example in Figure 15 is based on the assumption that used search volume Δc due to crawling is measured for each medium and time period (time period for search volume control) as shown in Figure 14, and that an on-demand search (described later) is performed for medium γ at 8:00, measuring "40" as used search volume Δt due to the on-demand search. The example in Figure 15 also shows used search volume table 1500 at 4:00 PM, the end of time period 4C. Figure 15 shows example values ​​of S, c, and t for each media. Here, c represents "ΣΔc (past)," which is the sum of Δc from the start of time slot 1C (midnight) to the end of time slot 4C (4:00 p.m.). In other words, c represents the cumulative amount of information (search volume) actually acquired (collected) by crawling. Here, t represents "ΣΔt (past)," which is the sum of Δt from the start of time slot 1C (midnight) to the end of time slot 4C (4:00 p.m.). In other words, t represents the cumulative amount of information (search volume) actually acquired (collected) by on-demand search. And S represents the sum of c and t. In other words, S represents the cumulative amount of information (search volume) actually acquired (collected) by crawling or on-demand search from the start of time slot 1C (midnight) to the end of time slot 4C (4:00 p.m.).

[0073] In step 1305 of FIG. 13, the search result recording unit 412 updates the search result table 1600 based on the information acquired (collected) in steps 1302 and 1303 . 16 shows a search performance table 1600. Each time crawling or on-demand searching is performed, a record indicating the performance of information acquired (collected) by the crawling or on-demand searching may be added to the search performance table 1600. As shown in FIG. 16, each record in search performance table 1600 may include one or more of the following items: a "media name" which is the name of the media that was the subject of the search; a "search time" which is the time when crawling or on-demand search was performed; a "search type" which indicates whether it was crawling or on-demand search; a "used search volume (hit volume)" which indicates the amount of information actually acquired (collected) (the search volume used for one search); an "average posting time" which indicates the average difference between the posting time (posting time) of posted information (posted information) from the acquired (collected) information and the search time; an "average number of views" which indicates the average number of views of posted information (posted information) from the acquired (collected) information; an "average number of reactions" which indicates the average number of reactions to posted information (posted information) from the acquired (collected) information; and an "average number of shares" which indicates the average number of times posted information (posted information) from the acquired (collected) information is shared. After step 1305, control is returned to step 1301.

[0074] 5-4. On-demand scan setting process (Figure 17, Figure 18, Figure 4, Figure 8, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 15) Fig. 17 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the on-demand search setting unit 413 etc. Below, the processing will be explained in the order shown in Fig. 17, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the on-demand search volume setting table 1800 shown in Fig. 18, the access level table 800 shown in Fig. 8, the search priority table 1000 shown in Fig. 10, the limit value table shown in Fig. 11, the search schedule table 1200 shown in Fig. 12, and the used search volume table 1500 shown in Fig. 15. The functions described below are realized, so that in addition to the search and acquisition (collection) of information held by media by pre-configured crawling, settings for on-demand search can be created in response to a request from a user (system user) of system 101 to additionally search and acquisition (collection) of information held by media by on-demand search. More specifically, settings for on-demand search can be created appropriately taking into account factors such as the search priority set for each piece of media, whether the time slots for access statistics analysis (time slot 1A, time slot 1A, etc.) corresponding to the time slots for search volume control (time slot 1C, time slot 2C, etc.) that include the time when the on-demand search is to be performed are high-access time slots (access peak time slots) for each piece of media, and whether there is room to set the on-demand search volume Y for each piece of media.

[0075] 17, the on-demand search setting unit 413 determines whether a user of the system 101 (system user) has requested an on-demand search from the system 101. If the determination result of step 1701 is affirmative, control proceeds to step 1702. If the determination result of step 1701 is negative, step 1701 is repeated. A person using the system 101 (a system user) may input on-demand search words and information requesting an on-demand search via a search request reception screen 2000 such as that shown in Fig. 20. The input on-demand search words and information requesting an on-demand search may be transmitted to the on-demand search reception unit 420 via the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit). The on-demand search reception unit 420 may then notify the on-demand search setting unit 413 that an on-demand search request has been received. In step 1702 of Fig. 17, the on-demand search setting unit 413 selects one piece of media that has not yet been selected in the flowchart 1700 of Fig. 17 from among the media that are candidates for on-demand search, in descending order of search priority set for the media by the system 101. The on-demand search setting unit 413 may obtain information on the search priority of each piece of media from the search priority table 1000 shown in Fig. 10. 17, the access level determination unit 414, which is an internal functional unit of the on-demand search setting unit 413, identifies a time period for access statistical analysis (time period 1A, time period 2A, etc.) that corresponds to a time period for search volume control (time period 1C, time period 2C, etc.) that includes the time at which the on-demand search is to be performed, for the media selected in step 1702. For example, if the time at which the on-demand search is to be performed is 5 PM and the time period for search volume control that includes that time is time period 5C (4 PM to 8 PM), time period 5A (4 PM to 8 PM) may be identified as the corresponding time period for access statistical analysis. In step 1704 of Fig. 17, the access level determination unit 414 determines whether the time period for access statistical analysis identified in step 1703 is a high-access time period (access peak time period) for the media selected in step 1702. If the determination result in step 1704 is positive, control transitions to step 1705. If the determination result in step 1704 is negative, control returns to step 1702, and the next media is selected. In order to determine the high-access time period (access peak time period), the access level determination unit 414 may acquire information for making a determination regarding the high-access time period (access peak time period) from the access statistics information table 700 shown in Fig. 7 or the access level table 800 shown in Fig. 8. Due to the presence of step 1704, it is possible to select, as the target media for on-demand search, media that are expected to be able to acquire (collect) a large amount of highly popular (highly popular) information.

[0076] In step 1705 of FIG. 17, the headroom determination unit 415, which is an internal functional unit of the on-demand search setting unit 413, calculates the amount (headroom) D that can be allocated to on-demand search volume for the media selected in step 1703 and for which the access statistics analysis time period corresponding to the search volume control time period that includes the time at which the on-demand search is performed in step 1704 is a high access time period (access peak time period). Specifically, let L be the search volume limit imposed by the operator of the media for a period set by the operator of the media (e.g., 24 hours), let S be the search volume used up to the present time from the start of the current period (e.g., 24 hours) that includes the time when the on-demand search will be performed (e.g., the start (0:00) of time slot 1C (0:00-4:00)) and let P be the sum (ΣX (future amount)) of the set value X (upper limit of search volume) of the search volume (for crawling) scheduled from the present time until the end of the current period that includes the time when the on-demand search will be performed (e.g., the end (0:00) of time slot 6C (20:00-24:00)). The margin determination unit 415 may determine the difference obtained by subtracting S and P from L as the margin D. In other words, the margin determination unit 415 may calculate the margin D using the formula D:=LSP. The margin determination unit 415 may obtain information on the search volume limit value L from the limit value table 1100 shown in Fig. 11. The margin determination unit 415 may obtain information on the used search volume S from the used search volume table 1500 shown in Fig. 15. The margin determination unit 415 may obtain information on the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling for each time slot for search volume control and the search time(s) at which crawling is scheduled from the search schedule table 1200 (to which the information from the current day search schedule table 2200 has been transcribed) shown in Fig. 12 or 22, and may calculate P, which is the sum of X for the future, using the obtained setting value X and the search time(s) at which crawling is scheduled.

[0077] A specific example of calculation of the margin D is shown below. For example, the margin determining unit 415 calculates the margin D of the medium β at the beginning (16:00) of the time slot 5C (16:00 to 20:00) as follows: According to the limit value table 1100 shown in Fig. 11, the value of the search volume limit value L for media β is "90 (L=90)." According to the used search volume table 1500 shown in Fig. 15 (the example in Fig. 15 is as of 4:00 PM, which is the end of time slot 4C and the start of time slot 5C), the used search volume S for media β as of 4:00 PM is "5 (S=5)." According to the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 into which the information from the table has been transcribed) shown in FIG. 12, crawling is scheduled for medium β in both time slot 5C (4:00 PM to 8:00 PM) and time slot 6C (8:00 PM to midnight), both of which are after 4:00 PM (6:00 PM and 10:00 PM are set as the search times for crawling), and the set value X of the search volume for crawling in time slot 5C (4:00 PM to 8:00 PM) for medium β is "25," and the set value X of the search volume for crawling in time slot 6C (8:00 PM to midnight) for medium β is "10." Therefore, P, which is the sum (ΣX (future portion)) of the set values ​​X of the search volume (upper limit of the search volume), is "35 (P=35)" (:=25+10). Therefore, the margin determination unit 415 calculates the value of the margin D as "50 (D=50)" since D:=LSP=90-5-35=50.

[0078] As another example, the margin determining unit 415 calculates the margin D of the medium γ at the beginning (8:00) of the time slot 3C (8:00 to 12:00) as follows: According to the limit value table 1100 shown in FIG. 11, the value of the search volume limit value L for medium γ is "105 (L=105)." Although the used search volume table 1500 at 8:00 is not shown, according to FIG. 14, the value of the used search volume c due to crawling for medium γ at 8:00 is 10. Also, assume that no on-demand search was performed for medium γ between midnight and 8:00 (t=0). Then, the used search volume S for medium γ at 8:00 is "10 (S=10)" (:=s+t=10+0). According to the search schedule table 1200 shown in FIG. 12 (the current day search schedule table 2200 into which the information has been transcribed), crawling is scheduled for medium γ in time slots 3C (8:00-12:00), 4C (12:00-16:00), and 6C (20:00-24:00) out of time slots 3C, 4C, 5C, and 6C after 8:00 (11:00, 15:00, and 23:00 are set as the search times for crawling), and the set value of the search volume for crawling in time slot 3C (8:00-12:00) for medium γ is "25", the set value of the search volume for crawling in time slot 4C (12:00-16:00) for medium γ is "10", and the set value of the search volume for crawling in time slot 6C (20:00-24:00) for medium γ is "25", so P, which is the sum (ΣX (future portion)) of the set values ​​of the search volume X (upper limit of the search volume) is "60 (P=60)" (:=25+10+25). Therefore, the margin determining unit 415 calculates the value of the margin D as "35 (D=35)" based on D:=LSP=105-10-60=35.

[0079] FIG. 18 shows an example of the headroom D calculated for each media and for each time of day when an on-demand search is performed. The example in FIG. 18 is based on the example of the quota table 1100 shown in FIG. 11, the example of the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 to which the information from the table has been transcribed) shown in FIG. 12, and the example 1400 of the used search volume Δc due to crawling for each time period (time period for controlling search volume) shown in FIG. 14. Each column in FIG. 18 assumes that the first on-demand search request for the current period (e.g., 24 hours) occurred immediately after the time shown in the column. Note that FIG. 18 displays the word "forced setting" to indicate that the headroom D can be calculated for periods other than high-access periods (time periods with peak access); this point will be explained in relation to step 1711, described below.

[0080] 17, the margin determination unit 415 determines whether there is margin for setting the on-demand search volume Y for the media selected in step 1703 and for which the access statistics analysis time period corresponding to the search volume control time period including the time at which the on-demand search is performed in step 1704 is a high access time period (access peak time period). If the determination result in step 1706 is positive, control transitions to step 1707. If the determination result in step 1706 is negative, control returns to step 1702, and the next media is selected. The margin determination unit 415 may determine the determination result in step 1706 as positive, for example, when the value of the margin D calculated in step 1705 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The margin determination unit 415 may determine the determination result in step 1706 as positive, for example, when the value of the margin D is positive. 17, the on-demand search volume setting unit 416 sets an on-demand search volume Y for the media selected in step 1703, for which the time period for access statistics analysis corresponding to the time period for search volume control that includes the time at which the on-demand search is performed in step 1704 is a high access time period (access peak time period), and for which it is determined in step 1707 that there is room for setting the on-demand search volume Y. The on-demand search volume setting unit 416 may, for example, use the margin volume D calculated in step 1705 itself as the on-demand search volume Y. Alternatively, the on-demand search volume setting unit 416 may, for example, use a value indicating a portion of the margin volume D calculated in step 1705 as the value of the on-demand search volume Y.

[0081] 17, the on-demand search setting unit 413 determines whether the total of the on-demand search volume Y set in step 1707 for each of the media selected in step 1702 up to this point is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. If the determination result in step 1708 is affirmative, control transitions to step 1712. If the determination result in step 1708 is negative, control transitions to step 1709. With the existence of step 1708, as a result of setting the on-demand search volume Y based on the margin volume D for each of the media in descending order of search priority, when the total on-demand search volume Y becomes sufficiently large (here, when it becomes equal to or exceeds a first predetermined value (or, alternatively, when it becomes larger than the first predetermined value)), it becomes possible to stop considering whether or not to set the on-demand search volume Y for the media with lower search priority. As a result, there may be cases where the time required for processing by the on-demand search setting unit 413 is shortened. For example, assuming that the first predetermined value is "50" and the surplus amount D is as shown in the example of Figure 18, and that the surplus amount D itself is the on-demand search amount Y, in the case where an on-demand search is performed immediately after 4:00 p.m., which is the start of time slot 5C (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), the value of the surplus amount D (i.e., the on-demand search amount Y) for media β is "50," so for media (e.g., media γ) that have a lower search priority than media β, it is not necessary to consider whether or not to set the on-demand search amount Y using the flowchart of Figure 17.

[0082] 17, the on-demand search setting unit 413 determines whether all of the media that are candidates for on-demand search targets have been selected in step 1702. If the determination result in step 1709 is affirmative, control transitions to step 1710. If the determination result in step 1709 is negative, control returns to step 1702, where the next media is selected.

[0083] 17, in step 1710, for all media that are candidates for on-demand search, whether or not to set the on-demand search volume Y based on the surplus volume D is considered, and as a result, it is determined whether the total on-demand search volume Y is less than a second predetermined value. If the determination result in step 1710 is positive, control transitions to step 1711. If the determination result in step 1710 is negative, control transitions to step 1712. With the presence of step 1710, for media in which the access statistics analysis time period corresponding to the search volume control time period that includes the time when an on-demand search is performed is a high access time period (access peak time period), if the result of considering whether to set the on-demand search volume Y based on the surplus volume D shows that the total on-demand search volume Y is too small (here, less than the second predetermined value (or equal to or less than the second predetermined value)), then in the subsequent step 1711, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 can forcibly allocate an increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y. This makes it easier to ensure as much on-demand search volume Y as possible, regardless of the time when an on-demand search is performed. For example, assuming that the second predetermined value is "40," the margin D is as shown in the example of FIG. 18, the margin D itself is set as the on-demand search volume Y, and the on-demand search is performed only on media α, β, and γ, in a case where an on-demand search is performed immediately after 8:00, the start of time slot 3C (8:00 to 12:00), the on-demand search volume Y is set based on the margin D, and the provisional value of the on-demand search volume Y (based on the margin D) for media γ is set to "35." In this case, the total on-demand search volume Y based on the margin D is "35," which is less than the second predetermined value "40." Therefore, in step 1711, which will be described later, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 attempts to forcibly allocate an increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y. Under the above assumptions, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 also attempts to forcibly allocate an increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y when the on-demand search is performed immediately after midnight, immediately after 4 o'clock, immediately after 12 o'clock, or immediately after 8 o'clock.

[0084] In step 1711 of FIG. 17, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417, which is an internal functional unit of the on-demand search setting unit 413, selects one of the media and attempts to allocate an increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y to the selected media. To avoid complicating the explanation below, the case where an on-demand search is performed immediately after midnight, immediately after 4 o'clock, immediately after 8 o'clock, immediately after 12 o'clock, or immediately after 8 o'clock will be described. (The on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 does not operate immediately after 4 o'clock.) Naturally, since a user of the system 101 (a system user) can request an on-demand search at any time, the time at which an on-demand search is performed is essentially arbitrary. The following explanation is based on the example of the access level table 800 shown in Fig. 8, the example of the search priority table 1000 shown in Fig. 10, the example of the limit value table 1100 shown in Fig. 11, the example of the search schedule table 1200 (the current day search schedule table 2200 with information transcribed from it) shown in Fig. 12, and the example 1400 of used search volume Δc due to crawling for each time period (time period for search volume control) shown in Fig. 14, and is based on the assumption that the targets for on-demand searches are only media α, media β, and media γ. Naturally, the present disclosure is not limited to the above assumptions.

[0085] First, we will explain the cases where the time of on-demand search is immediately after midnight, which is the start of time slot 1C (midnight to 4am), immediately after 4am, which is the start of time slot 2C (4am to 8am), or immediately after 12am, which is the start of time slot 4C (12pm to 4pm). In time slots 1A (midnight to 4am), 2A (4am to 8am), and 4A (12pm to 4pm) (time slots for access statistics analysis), which correspond to time slots 1C (midnight to 4am), 2C (4am to 8am), and 4C (12pm to 4pm) (time slots for search volume control), none of media α, β, and γ are in high access time slots (access peak time slots). Therefore, on-demand search volume Y is not set in step 1707.

[0086] Therefore, in step 1711, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 attempts to allocate an increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y to any one of the media. The on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 may, for example, newly calculate the margin D for media β. Here, for media β, the value of the search volume limit value L is "90 (L=90)," the value of the used search volume S is "0 (S=0)" any time immediately after midnight, 4 o'clock, or 12 o'clock, and the value of P, which is the total (total for only the time periods in which the crawling search time is set) of the search volume setting value X for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time period) any time immediately after midnight, 4 o'clock, or 12 o'clock, is "45 (P=45)" (:=10+25+10), so the value of the margin D is "45 (D=45)" (:=90-0-45). The on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 may, for example, newly calculate the margin volume D for media γ. Here, for media γ, the value of the search volume limit value L is "105 (L=105)." The value of the used search volume S immediately after midnight is "0 (S=0)," while the value of P, which is the sum of the search volume setting values ​​X (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) for crawling immediately after midnight (total for only the time slots for which the crawling search time is set), is "70 (P=70)." The value of the used search volume S immediately after 4 o'clock is "10 (S=10)," while the value of P, which is the sum of the search volume setting values ​​X (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) for crawling immediately after 4 o'clock (total for only the time slots for which the crawling search time is set), is "60 (P=60)." The value of the used search volume S immediately after 12 o'clock is "35 (S = 35)", while the value of P, which is the total of the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for each time period) for crawling immediately after 12 o'clock (total only for the time period when the crawling search time is set), is "35 (P = 35)". Therefore, for media γ, the value of the surplus volume D is "35 (D = 35)" (: = 105 - 0 - 70 = 105 - 10 - 60 = 105 - 35 - 35) immediately after midnight, immediately after 4 o'clock, or immediately after 12 o'clock.

[0087] When assigning an increment ΔY to the on-demand search volume Y for media β immediately after midnight, immediately after 4 o'clock, or immediately after 12 o'clock, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 can assign an increment ΔY of up to "45".

[0088] When allocating an increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y for media γ immediately after midnight, immediately after 4 o'clock, and immediately after 12 o'clock, the on-demand search volume forcible setting unit 417 can allocate a maximum of "35" as the increment ΔY. However, this value of "35" is less than the second predetermined value "40." Therefore, in order to further include "5", which is the difference between "40" and "35", in the increment ΔY, the on-demand search volume forcible setting unit 417 may forcibly reduce one of the search volume setting values ​​X for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) for media γ, and add the reduced search volume F to the increment ΔY. For example, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 may reduce the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for each time period) for crawling in one of the time periods after the time when the on-demand search is performed (for example, time period 4C (12:00-16:00)) from "10" to "5", and add this reduced search volume F (= 5) to the increase ΔY in the on-demand search volume Y for media γ.

[0089] As described above, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 can allocate an increment ΔY to the on-demand search volume Y for either the medium β or the medium γ. The on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 can also allocate an increment ΔY to the on-demand search volume Y for both the medium β and the medium γ.

[0090] Next, a case will be described in which the time when an on-demand search is performed is immediately after 8:00, which is the start of time slot 3C (8:00 to 12:00). In this case, in step 1707, "35" is set for the on-demand search volume Y for media γ based on the margin volume D. However, this value "35" is less than the second predetermined value "40." Therefore, in order to further include the difference between "40" and "35," i.e., "5," in the increment ΔY, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 may forcibly reduce one of the search volume setting values ​​X for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) for media γ, and set the reduced search volume F as the increment ΔY. For example, the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 may reduce the search volume setting value X for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) for one of the time slots after the time when the on-demand search is performed (for example, time slot 4C (12:00 to 16:00)) from "10" to "5," and set this reduced search volume F (= 5) as the increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y for media γ.

[0091] Furthermore, a case will be explained in which the time when the on-demand search is performed is immediately after 8 PM, which is the start of time period 6C (8 PM to midnight). In this case, in step 1707, "35" is set for the media γ as the on-demand search volume Y based on the surplus volume D. However, this value "35" is less than the second predetermined value "40". However, since there is no time slot after time slot 6C (8 PM to midnight), in this case the on-demand search volume forced setting unit 417 may give up on allocating the increment ΔY of the on-demand search volume Y.

[0092] In step 1712 of FIG. 17, the on-demand search setting unit 413 records information about the on-demand search volume Y (including the additional amount due to the increment ΔY) set for each media in the on-demand search volume setting table 1800. Fig. 18 shows an example of the contents of on-demand search volume settings table 1800 according to the time at which an on-demand search is performed. To avoid complicating the explanation, Fig. 18 shows the contents of on-demand search volume settings table 1800 for cases in which an on-demand search is performed immediately after midnight, immediately after 4 o'clock, immediately after 8 o'clock, immediately after 12 o'clock, immediately after 4 o'clock, and immediately after 8 o'clock. Naturally, a person using system 101 (system user) can request an on-demand search at any timing, and therefore the time at which an on-demand search is performed is essentially arbitrary.

[0093] 18, for media α, which is set to a high search priority rank (e.g., the highest rank), the crawling search volume is set high, so the search volume set for on-demand search is lower. However, media β and media γ, which are set to a medium or low search priority rank, can contribute more to setting the on-demand search volume. In particular, for media β and media γ, if the time period for access statistics analysis is a high-access time period (access peak time period), it is possible to prioritize setting the on-demand search volume Y during the search volume control time period corresponding to that high-access time period (access peak time period). Note that, from the perspective of search volume through both crawling and on-demand search, it may be interpreted that the search volume for each medium is adjusted during the time period that includes the time when the on-demand search is performed (search volume control time period). In many cases, similar information is posted (published) on multiple media. Or, information posted (published) on one media may spread to other media. Therefore, when an on-demand search is requested, even if the on-demand search volume Y is set to media β or γ instead of media α, a certain degree of success in information collection (acquisition) can be expected.

[0094] 17, the on-demand search setting unit 413 instructs the on-demand search unit 418 to perform an on-demand search. After step 1713, control returns to step 1701.

[0095] 5.5. On-demand search processing (Figure 19, Figure 4, Figure 18, Figure 15, Figure 16) Fig. 19 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the on-demand search unit 418 etc. Below, the processing will be explained in the order shown in Fig. 19, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the on-demand search volume setting table 1800 shown in Fig. 18, the used search volume table 1500 shown in Fig. 15, and the search performance table 1600 shown in Fig. 16. The functions described below are realized, so that information held by media can be searched and acquired (collected) by on-demand search while adhering to the search volume setting value (upper search volume limit) for on-demand search shown in on-demand search volume setting table 1800. In addition, when searching and acquiring information held by media by on-demand search, information on the amount of information actually acquired (collected) (used search volume) and information on search results can also be recorded.

[0096] 19, the on-demand search unit 418 determines whether an on-demand search has been instructed by the on-demand search setting unit 413 through the execution of step 1713. If the determination result of step 1901 is affirmative, control proceeds to step 1902. If the determination result of step 1901 is negative, step 1901 is repeated. 19, the on-demand search unit 418 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by the media, for example, from a server that implements the media. In this case, the on-demand search unit 418 may search for and acquire (collect) information held by the media via an application programming interface (API) provided by the operator of the media. The on-demand search unit 418 searches for and acquires (collects) information held by the media in accordance with the settings indicated by the information recorded in the on-demand search volume setting table 1800. The settings indicated by the information recorded in the on-demand search volume setting table 1800 are information indicating which media to perform an on-demand search on and a search volume setting value Y (upper limit of search volume) when performing an on-demand search, as indicated by one column in Fig. 18. Note that the on-demand search words and search criteria for the on-demand search may be input by a person using the system 101 (a system user) via the search request reception screen 2000 and transmitted to the on-demand search unit 418 via the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) and the on-demand search reception unit 420. The on-demand search unit 418 searches for information held by the media using the on-demand search words, and acquires (collects) information up to the amount indicated by the "search volume setting value Y (upper limit of search volume) when performing an on-demand search" indicated in the on-demand search volume setting table 1800, from among the information that may be hit by the search, in accordance with the ranking assigned to the information based on the search criteria for the on-demand search. 19, the on-demand search unit 418 receives information (including posted information (published information)) to be acquired (collected) from the server realizing the media in response to the search and acquisition (collection) executed in step 1902. The on-demand search unit 418 records (stores) the received information (including posted information (published information)) in the search result recording area 499. In step 1904 of Figure 19, the used search volume recording unit 411 updates the used search volume table 1500 based on the search volume Δt (used search volume for one on-demand search), which is the amount of information actually acquired (collected) in steps 1902 and 1903. 19, the search result recording unit 412 updates the search result table 1600 based on the information acquired (collected) in steps 1902 and 1903. After step 1905, the control returns to step 1901.

[0097] 5-6. Processing related to the search request reception screen (Figure 20, Figure 4, Figure 10, Figure 12, Figure 18) Fig. 20 shows an example of a search request reception screen 2000. Below, the processing related to the search request reception screen 2000 of Fig. 20 will be explained, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the search priority table 1000 shown in Fig. 10, the search schedule table 1200 shown in Fig. 12, and the on-demand search volume setting table 1800 shown in Fig. 18. The functions described below are realized, so that a person using the system 101 (a system user) can input an on-demand search request to the system 101 via a user interface provided by the search request reception screen 2000. Furthermore, a person using the system 101 (a system user) can modify (edit) the contents of the search schedule 130 (search schedule table 1200, current day search schedule table 2200) for crawling settings, and set the search priority of each media (search priority table 1000), via the user interface provided by the search request reception screen 2000. Furthermore, a person using the system 101 (a system user) can easily view information about search policies, including information about search volume, and search results.

[0098] The user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) controls a display included in the display or output device 507, or any display device that can be controlled by or communicate with the system 101, to display the search request acceptance screen 2000. The user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) may appropriately acquire information used to display the search request acceptance screen 2000 from the search schedule table 1200 (today's search schedule table 2200), the search priority table 1000, the on-demand search volume setting table 1800, and the search result recording area 499. In addition, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) may transmit information entered by a person using the system 101 (system user) via the user interface provided by the search request reception screen 2000 to any of the on-demand search reception unit 420, the search schedule correction unit 421, or the search priority setting unit 422.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 20, a search request reception screen 2000 may have an on-demand search word input field, a search criteria input field, and a search execution icon as a user interface for on-demand search requests (on-demand search request UI). The on-demand search word input field is a field where a person using the system 101 (a system user) can enter a search word (an on-demand search word) when performing an on-demand search using a keyboard (a hardware keyboard, a software keyboard, or a flick input interface). The on-demand search word may be the same as or different from the crawling search word. For example, a person using the system (a system user) may enter a word as an on-demand search word that is similar in content to the crawling search word but expressed differently (for example, a word written in Japanese versus an English word). When such an on-demand search is performed, multifaceted information can be searched for and acquired (collected) for similar content. The search criteria input field is a field in which a person (system user) using the system 101 operates a pull-down menu with a mouse or the like to input search criteria, which are criteria for determining which information to preferentially acquire (collect) from among the information that may be hit by a search using an on-demand search word. The pull-down menu in the search criteria input field may present, as search criteria options, for example, "posting time" indicating the recency of the posting time, "number of views" indicating the number of views, "number of reactions" indicating the number of reactions, and "number of shares" indicating the number of shares, or may present other options. The search execution icon is used by a person using the system 101 (system user) to confirm a request for an on-demand search by clicking it with a mouse or the like. A person using the system 101 (system user) enters an on-demand search word in the on-demand search word input field, selects search criteria in the search criteria input field, and then clicks the search execution icon to request an on-demand search from the system 101. The user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) receives information about an on-demand search request via the search request reception screen 2000 and transmits the information to the on-demand search reception unit 420. The on-demand search reception unit 420 instructs the on-demand search setting unit 413 to make settings for an on-demand search.

[0100] As shown in Figure 20, the search request reception screen 2000 may have, as a user interface for editing crawling settings (UI for editing crawling settings), a table column that displays a table formed by combining information read from the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) and information read from the search priority table 1000, an "original load" icon, a "current day load" icon, and an update execution icon. When a system user (system user) clicks the "original load" icon with a mouse or the like, the information held in the search schedule table 1200 and the information held in the search priority table 1000 are reflected in the table columns. In this case, when a system user (system user) later clicks the update execution icon with a mouse or the like, the update content entered in the table columns is reflected in the search schedule table 1200 or the search priority table 1000. When a system user (system user) clicks the "load today's data" icon with a mouse or the like, the information held in the current day search schedule table 2200 and the information held in the search priority table 1000 are reflected in the table columns. In this case, when a system user (system user) later clicks the update execution icon with a mouse or the like, the update content entered in the table columns is reflected in the current day search schedule table 2200 or the search priority table 1000. The table columns are as follows for each media: "Media name", "Priority (search priority)", "Search time (search time for crawling)", "Word (search word for crawling)", "Search criteria (search criteria for crawling)", "1C (Search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling in time period 1C (0:00-4:00))", "2C (Search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling in time period 2C (4:00-8:00))", "3C (time The table may have the following items: "X (maximum search volume) setting value for crawling in time period 3C (8:00-12:00)"), "4C (X (maximum search volume) setting value for crawling in time period 4C (12:00-16:00))", "5C (X (maximum search volume) setting value for crawling in time period 5C (16:00-20:00))", and "6C (X (maximum search volume) setting value for crawling in time period 6C (20:00-24:00))". In FIG. 20, both vertical and horizontal scroll bars are provided for the table columns. Therefore, the items "2C (Search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling in time period 2C (4:00-8:00))", "3C (Search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling in time period 3C (8:00-12:00))", "4C (Search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling in time period 4C (12:00-16:00))", "5C (Search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling in time period 5C (16:00-20:00))", and "6C (Search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for crawling in time period 6C (20:00-24:00))" which are hidden in Figure 20 can also be displayed by operating the horizontal scroll bar with a mouse, etc. In addition, various information about media other than media α, media β, and media γ can also be displayed by operating the vertical scroll bar with a mouse, etc.The table fields are fields where a person using the system 101 (a system user) can use a keyboard (a hardware keyboard, a software keyboard, or a flick input interface) or the like to input information for correcting, editing, or setting the contents of the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) or the search priority table 1000. The update execution icon is clicked by a person using the system 101 (a system user) with a mouse or the like to confirm a request to correct, edit, or set the contents of the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) or the search priority table 1000. A user of the system 101 (system user) enters information in the table column about the items to be modified, edited, or set among the contents of the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) or the search priority table 1000, and then clicks the update execution icon to request the system 101 to modify, edit, or set the contents of the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) or the search priority table 1000.

[0101] The user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit), which has received information regarding a request to modify, edit, or set the contents of the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) or the search priority table 1000 via the search request reception screen 2000, transmits the information to the search schedule modification unit 421 and the search priority setting unit 422. The search schedule modification unit 421 modifies, edits, or sets the contents of the search schedule table 1200 (or the current day search schedule table 2200) in accordance with the transmitted information. The search priority setting unit 422 modifies, edits, or sets the contents of the search priority table 1000 in accordance with the transmitted information. Note that, depending on the item for which the person using the system 101 (system user) actually inputs information for modification, editing, or setting in the table column, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) may transmit the information to only one of the search schedule modification unit 421 or the search priority setting unit 422. For example, if the update execution icon is clicked without modifying, editing, or setting the contents of "Priority (Search Priority)" in the table column, the user interface control unit 419 (UI control unit) does not need to transmit information for modification, editing, or setting to the search priority setting unit 422.

[0102] 20, the search request reception screen 2000 has a search policy display user interface (search policy display UI). The search policy display user interface (search policy display UI) is used to display information showing the contents of the search schedule 130 for crawling (search schedule table 1200, current day search schedule table 2200), information showing the contents of the on-demand search volume settings for on-demand searches (on-demand search volume setting table 1800), and information notifying of corrections and settings of the contents. 20, the search policy display user interface (search policy display UI) displays information on the search volume setting value Y (upper limit of search volume) for on-demand searches set for each of media α, media β, and media γ for an on-demand search to be performed immediately after 4:00 PM, as well as information indicating the reason for the setting. This information may be information obtained from the on-demand search volume setting table 1800. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 20, the user interface for displaying search policy (UI for displaying search policy) shows that the entire contents of the search schedule 130 for crawling (search schedule table 1200) have been revised (updated) as a result of the access statistical information (access statistical information table 700) being updated. As shown in Fig. 20, a scroll bar may be provided in the search policy display user interface (search policy display UI) as needed. Therefore, a person using the system 101 (system user) can refer to information hidden in Fig. 20 as needed by operating the scroll bar with a mouse or the like.

[0103] 20, the search request reception screen 2000 has a user interface for displaying search results (a search result display UI). The search result display user interface may have a media name input field, a search type and search time input field, and a search result display field. The media name input field is used by a user of the system 101 (system user) to specify which media search results (information held by the media) to display in the search result display field by operating a pull-down menu with a mouse or the like. The search type and search time input fields are fields in which a person using the system 101 (a system user) operates a pull-down menu with a mouse or the like to specify which of the information search and acquisition (collection) processes performed on media are to be displayed in the search result display field. The pull-down menu that realizes the search type and search time input fields may present options for each combination of the search type, "crawling" and "on-demand search," and the search time. The "search type" and "search time" items in the search history table 1600 may be used as information for these options. Note that instead of the pull-down menu that realizes the search type and search time input fields, a menu of any format may be presented that shows options that can distinguish between individual searches performed in the past. The search result display field is intended to display a group of information (including posted information (published information)) that has been acquired (collected) by a search (crawling or on-demand search) corresponding to the media specified in the media name input field and the search type and search time specified in the search type and search time input fields and that has been recorded in the search result recording area 499. The display order of information in the search result display field may, for example, follow the order determined by the "search criteria" at the time the search and acquisition (collection) was performed. Note that the display order of information in the search result display field may be arbitrary. A scroll bar may be provided in the search result display field as needed, so that a user of the system 101 (system user) can refer to information hidden in FIG. 20 as needed by operating the scroll bar with a mouse or the like.

[0104] 5-7. Processing of the Today's Search Schedule Adjustment Section (Fig. 21, Fig. 22, Fig. 4, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 15) Fig. 21 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 etc. Below, the processing will be explained in the order shown in Fig. 21, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the adjustment of the current day search schedule table 2200 shown in Fig. 22, the limit value table 1100 shown in Fig. 11, the search schedule table 1200 shown in Fig. 12, and the used search volume table 1500 shown in Fig. 15. Note that the flowchart 2100 in Fig. 21 may be executed individually for each medium. The functionality described below allows for the realization of a "surplus" search volume, even if a discrepancy occurs between the search volume setting value X (upper search volume limit) for crawling for each time slot (search volume control time slot (e.g., 4-hour time slot)) set in search schedule 130 (current day search schedule table 2200) within a period (e.g., 24 hours) set by the media operator and the amount of information actually acquired (collected) when searching and acquiring (collecting) through crawling (the used search volume for one search (or the used search volume for each time slot)), resulting in "surplus" search volume. This "surplus" search volume can be reallocated to a later time slot (search volume control time slot) within a certain period (e.g., 24 hours). In this way, search schedule 130 (current day search schedule table 2200) can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual search and acquisition (collection) situation on that day.

[0105] In step 2101 of FIG. 21, at the start (e.g., midnight) of a period (e.g., 24 hours) in which a search volume limit value L imposed by the operator of the media is set, the current day search schedule initialization unit 423 transfers information about the media from the search schedule table 1200 to the current day search schedule table 2200. The "information about the media" transferred here includes information about the search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume) for each time slot (time slot for controlling search volume). In other words, it is the current day search schedule table 2200, not the search schedule table 1200, whose contents are flexibly adjusted according to the actual search and acquisition (acquisition) situation on that day. The search schedule table 1200 serves to provide a kind of "initial value of the settings (before flexible adjustment)."

[0106] 21, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 determines whether the information on the used search volume S for the media recorded in the used search volume table 1500 has been updated in conjunction with the execution of a search (for example, a crawling search or an on-demand search). If the determination result in step 2102 is positive, control transitions to step 2104. If the determination result in step 2102 is negative, control transitions to step 2103. 21, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 determines whether the end of the period (e.g., midnight) for which the search volume limit value L imposed by the media operator is set (e.g., 24 hours) has arrived. If the determination result in step 2103 is positive, control returns to step 2101, and the current day search schedule table 2200 is initialized to adjust the search schedule 130 for the next day. If the determination result in step 2103 is negative, control returns to step 2102.

[0107] In step 2104 of FIG. 21, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 calculates the search volume (adjustable volume) Z currently available for adjusting the set value X of the search volume for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot). Specifically, let L be the search volume limit imposed by the operator of the media for a period set by the operator of the media (e.g., the length of the period is 24 hours), let S be the search volume used from the start of the current period (e.g., the start (midnight) of time slot 1C (midnight to 4am)) that includes the current time up to the present time, let P' be the sum (ΣX (future setting)) of the search volume setting values ​​(for crawling) X (upper limit of search volume for each time slot) that are set from the current time up to the end of the current period (e.g., the end (midnight) of time slot 6C (8pm to midnight)) that includes the current time, and let M be the remaining search volume setting for the media. The current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 may determine the difference obtained by subtracting S, P', and M from L as the adjustable amount Z. In other words, the slack determination unit 415 may calculate the adjustable amount Z using the formula Z:=LS-P'-M. The current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 may obtain information on the search volume limit value L from the limit value table 1100 shown in Fig. 11. The current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 may obtain information on the used search volume S from the used search volume table 1500 shown in Fig. 15. The current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 may obtain a search volume setting value X (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for crawling for each time period for search volume control from the current day search schedule table 2200 to which the information of the search schedule table 1200 shown in Fig. 12 or 22 has been transcribed, and may use the obtained setting value X to calculate P', which is the total of X for future settings. Note that, unlike P calculated in step 1705, P' calculated in step 2104 does not need to take into account whether a search time for crawling has been set for each time period (time period for search volume control).

[0108] A specific example of calculating the adjustable amount Z will be described below using FIG. 22 shows the current day search schedule table 2200 (the portion relating to media α) at ​​4:00 PM, the beginning of time slot 5C (4:00 PM to 8:00 PM). To avoid complicating the explanation, it is assumed that no adjustments to the current day search schedule table 2200 have been made until 4:00 PM, and that at this point in time, the contents of the current day search schedule table 2200 are the same as the contents of the search schedule table 1200 shown in FIG. The center of Figure 22 shows the used search volume Δc due to crawling for each time period (time period for search volume control). To avoid complicating the explanation, we will assume here that no on-demand searches were performed until 4:00 PM (t=0). In other words, the used search volume c (ΣΔc (past)) due to crawling is simply the used search volume S (:=c+t=c+0). As shown in Figure 22, in the example of Figure 22, during time period 1C (12:00 AM to 4:00 AM), the set value X of the search volume for crawling (the upper limit of the set value for each time period) is "15", while the amount of information Δc actually acquired (collected) by crawling is "5", meaning that there is a discrepancy between X and Δc. Furthermore, in time period 4C (12:00-16:00), the set value X of the search volume for crawling (the upper limit of the set value for each time period) is "10", while the amount of information actually acquired (collected) by crawling, Δc, is "5", and there is a discrepancy between X and Δc. The lower part of FIG. 22 shows the adjusted current day search schedule table 2200 at 16:00.

[0109] At 4 pm in the above example, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 calculates the adjustable amount Z based on step 2104 . According to the limit value table 1100 shown in FIG. 11, the value of the search volume limit value L for medium α is "100 (L=100)." As shown in the center of FIG. 22, in the example of FIG. 22, the used search volume S for medium α as of 4:00 PM is "20 (S=20)" (:=c+t=20+0). According to the current day search schedule table 2200 shown in the upper part of FIG. 22, the set value X of the search volume for crawling for time slot 5C (4:00 PM to 8:00 PM) for medium α is "15," and the set value X of the search volume for crawling for time slot 6C (8:00 PM to midnight) for medium α is "50," so P', which is the sum (ΣX (future set portion)) of the set values ​​X of the search volume (upper limit of the search volume), is "65 (P'=65)" (:=15+50). 10, the value of the remaining search volume M for the medium α is “0 (M=0).” Therefore, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 calculates the value of the adjustable volume Z as “15 (Z=15)” by Z:=LS-P′-M=100-20-65-0=15.

[0110] 21, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 determines whether to adjust the contents of the current day search schedule table 2200, that is, whether to adjust the set value X of the search volume for each time slot for crawling (upper limit of search volume for each time slot). If the determination result in step 2105 is positive, control transitions to step 2106. If the determination result in step 2105 is negative, control returns to step 2102. The current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 may determine the determination result in step 2105 to be positive, for example, when the adjustable amount Z calculated in step 2104 is greater than a predetermined threshold (or is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold). 22, the value of the adjustable amount Z for medium α at 4 o'clock is "10," whereas the value of the adjustable amount Z for medium α at 4 o'clock is "15." If, for example, "14" is set as the predetermined threshold, the determination result in step 2105 will be negative at 4 o'clock and positive at 4 o'clock.

[0111] 21, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 adjusts the contents of the current day search schedule table 2200, that is, adjusts the search volume setting value X for each time slot for crawling (upper limit of search volume for a time slot). Specifically, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 increases one of the search volume setting values ​​X for each time slot for crawling (upper limit of search volume for a time slot) for time slots for search volume control after the current time. In the example of Fig. 22, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 22, the set value X of the search volume for crawling (upper limit of the search volume for the time period) in time period 5C (16:00 to 20:00) is increased from "15" to "30". Note that the amount of increase here may be any amount as long as it is equal to or less than the adjustable amount Z. 21, the current day search schedule adjustment unit 424 reflects the adjustment result in step 2106 in (records relating to media in) the current day search schedule table 2200. After step 2107, control is returned to step 2102.

[0112] 5-8. Processing of the search priority adjustment unit 425 (FIG. 23, FIG. 4, FIG. 10, FIG. 16) Fig. 23 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the search priority adjustment unit 425. Below, the processing will be described in the order shown in Fig. 23, with appropriate reference to the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4, the search priority table 1000 shown in Fig. 10, and the search performance table 1600 shown in Fig. 16. The functions described below are realized, so that search priorities are automatically adjusted so that media with good track records in actual searches and acquisitions (collections) are given priority in subsequent searches and acquisitions (collections), thereby ensuring appropriate information acquisition (collection).

[0113] 23, the search priority adjustment unit 425 determines whether the contents of the search result table 1600 have been updated in conjunction with the execution of a search (crawling search / on-demand search). If the determination result of step 2301 is affirmative, control transitions to step 2302. If the determination result of step 2301 is negative, step 2301 is repeated. 23, the search priority adjustment unit 425 determines whether to review (adjust) the search priorities set for each of the media. If the determination result in step 2302 is affirmative, control transitions to step 2303. If the determination result in step 2302 is negative, control returns to step 2301. The search priority adjustment unit 425 can make the determination in step 2302 based on any of a variety of criteria, such as whether a predetermined amount of search performance information has been added (accumulated) in the search performance table, or whether the amount of change in the content indicated by the search performance information recorded in the search performance table (the level of performance for each media) has become greater than a predetermined value. In step 2303 of FIG. 23, the search priority adjustment unit 425 revises (adjusts) the search priority set for each media based on the search performance information recorded in the search performance table 1600. The search priority adjustment unit 425 may revise (adjust) the search priority set for each media, for example, so as to increase the search priority of media with good search performance. In the example of FIG. 16, the search priority adjustment unit 425 may, for example, aggregate the "used search volume," "average posting time," "average number of views," "average number of responses," and "average number of shares" for each media, and then reset the search priority of the media to be higher the higher the "used search volume," the shorter the time lag indicated by the "average posting time," the higher the "average number of views," the higher the "average number of responses," and the higher the "average number of shares." 23, the search priority adjustment unit 425 records the search priority information after the revision (adjustment) in step 2303 in the search priority table 1000. After step 2304, the control is returned to step 2301.

[0114] 5-9. Processing of the time zone setting unit 426 (FIGS. 4 and 24) In the above description of the embodiment, the time periods for access statistical analysis, which are time periods when system 101 manages access statistical information, were Time Period 1A (12:00 to 4:00), Time Period 2A (4:00 to 8:00), Time Period 3A (8:00 to 12:00), Time Period 4A (12:00 to 16:00), Time Period 5A (16:00 to 20:00), and Time Period 6A (20:00 to 24:00). Also, in the above description of the embodiment, the time periods for search volume control, which are time periods when system 101 controls the search volume setting value (upper limit of search volume), were Time Period 1C (12:00 to 4:00), Time Period 2C (4:00 to 8:00), Time Period 3C (8:00 to 12:00), Time Period 4C (12:00 to 16:00), Time Period 5C (16:00 to 20:00), and Time Period 6C (20:00 to 24:00). In other words, in the description of the above embodiment, the length of one time period in the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control is four hours, and the time difference between the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control (for example, the time difference between time period 1A and time period 1C) is zero (no time difference).

[0115] However, in system 101, the settings for the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control are not limited to the above. That is, system 101 can set at least the length of one of the time periods for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control to a value other than the above four hours, and can also set the time difference between the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control (for example, the time difference between time period 1A and time period 1C) to a value other than zero. Furthermore, system 101 can set at least the time difference setting from the above settings differently for each medium.

[0116] FIG. 24 is a diagram 2400 for explaining the time difference between the time period for access statistics analysis and the time period for search volume control. The upper part of Figure 24 shows a case where the time difference between the time period for access statistics analysis and the time period for search volume control is zero. In other words, the upper part of Figure 24 shows the case described in the above embodiment. As shown in the upper part of Figure 24, the time difference between the time period for access statistics analysis and the time period for search volume control, which are associated with each other, is zero. For example, time period 1A, which is the time period for access statistics analysis, and time period 1C, which is the time period for search volume control, have the same start and end times. For example, for media that has a tendency that it takes a short time for the access trends of users (accounts) using the media to affect the attention index associated with information held by the media or generated on the media (e.g., posted information (published information)) (e.g., an index based on the posting time of the posted information (posted information), the number of views of the posted information (posted information), the number of reactions to the posted information (posted information), the number of times the posted information (posted information) has been shared, etc., and that is used to rank information when searching for and acquiring (collecting) information) (in other words, media that has a tendency that its attention index tends to increase in a short period of time but decrease in a short period of time), it is expected to be useful to set the time difference between the time period for access statistics analysis and the time period for search volume control to zero, as shown in the upper part of Figure 24. This is because both the crawling unit 410 and the on-demand search unit 418 included in the information search unit 409, when searching for and acquiring (collecting) information held by the media, use one of the attention indexes associated with each piece of information at the time of the search and acquisition (collection) as a search criterion for acquiring (collecting) the information. In other words, in the above case, it would be appropriate to acquire (collect) information before the attention index drops.

[0117] The center of Figure 24 shows a case where the time difference between the time slot for access statistics analysis and the time slot for search volume control is not zero, but is a small value. The bottom of Figure 24 shows a case where the time difference between the time slot for access statistics analysis and the time slot for search volume control is not zero, but is a large value. For example, the start time of time slot 1C, the time slot for search volume control, is later than the start time of time slot 1A, the time slot for access statistics analysis, by the time difference. Also, the end time of time slot 1C, the time slot for search volume control, is later than the end time of time slot 1A, the time slot for access statistics analysis, by the time difference. For example, for media that have the property that it takes a certain amount of time for the access trends of users (accounts) who use the media to affect the attention index associated with the information the media has or the information generated on the media (for example, posted information (published information)) (in other words, media that have the property that the attention index is unlikely to increase immediately, but does not decrease immediately), it is considered useful to set the time difference between the time period for access statistics analysis and the time period for search volume control to a non-zero value, as shown in the center or bottom of Figure 24. In other words, in the above case, it can be said that it is appropriate to wait until the access trends are reflected in the attention index and the attention index has increased sufficiently before acquiring (collecting) information.

[0118] The above focuses on the time lag until media access trends are reflected in the attention index associated with the information held by the media, but it may also be better to consider the speed at which media access trends change. For example, if the access trends for a certain media change significantly over a relatively short period of time, it is appropriate to make the length of one of the time periods for access statistical analysis and search volume control in system 101 relatively short.

[0119] The time zone setting unit 426 allows the length of one of the time zones for access statistical analysis and search volume control in the system 101, and the time difference between the time zone for access statistical analysis and the time zone for search volume control (for example, the time difference between time zone 1A and time zone 1C). For example, the user interface control unit 419 controls the display or output device 507 to display a time period setting reception screen, and then a person using the system 101 (a system user) inputs setting information for the length of one of the time periods for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control, and setting information for the time difference between the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control (for example, the time difference between time period 1A and time period 1C) via the time period setting reception screen. Accordingly, the input setting information is transmitted to the time period setting unit 426 via the user interface control unit 419. Having received the time period setting information, the time period setting unit 426 performs setting processing to apply to the system 101 the length of one of the time periods for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control, and the time difference between the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control (for example, the time difference between time period 1A and time period 1C), which are included in the setting information. The length of one of the time periods for access statistical analysis and search volume control, which are set by the time period setting unit 426, and the time difference between the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control (for example, the time difference between time period 1A and time period 1C) may affect the processing performed by, for example, the access statistical information acquisition unit 401, the access analysis unit 402, the search schedule creation unit 404, and the on-demand search setting unit 413.

[0120] By realizing the functions described above, it is possible to set a time difference between the time period for access statistical analysis and the time period for search volume control that appropriately reflects the characteristics of the media regarding the relationship between access trends to the media and the behavior of the attention index associated with the information the media possesses. Furthermore, the length of each time period for the access statistical analysis time period and the search volume control time period can be set to appropriately reflect the speed of changes in access trends in the media.

[0121] 6. Other (variations) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. Part of the configurations and processes of the embodiments may be replaced with the configurations and processes of other conceivable embodiments. The configurations and processes of other conceivable embodiments may be added to the configurations and processes of the embodiments. For example, the present disclosure may include the following modified embodiments.

[0122] (Variation A) Multidimensional access trend analysis and search volume control (Figure 25) In the above embodiment, access analysis is performed on access statistics information for each medium and time period, and search volume control is performed when searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the medium. In a sense, it can be said that the two dimensions of "medium" and "time period" are used as "dimensions" when analyzing access trends and controlling search volume. In Modification A, a further dimension may be added as a "dimension" when performing access trend analysis and search volume control. Fig. 25 is a diagram showing the addition of a further dimension.

[0123] The left side of FIG. 25 shows that "account (group)" is added to "media" and "time period" as "dimensions" when analyzing access trends and controlling search volume. In the case on the left side of Figure 25, the system 101 acquires access statistics information for each time period and for each user (account) or group of users (accounts) using the media (or for only a specific user (account) or a specific group of users (accounts)), and performs access trend analysis.The system 101 then sets a search volume setting value (upper limit of search volume for each time period) for searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the media, for each time period and for each user (account) or group of users (accounts) using the media (or for only a specific user (account) or a specific group of users (accounts)). In the case on the left side of Figure 25, the access analysis unit 402 is an account-specific access analysis unit that analyzes, for each media, the access trends from each account or set of accounts held by a user of that media to that media. The search schedule creation unit 404 is an account-specific search schedule creation unit that creates, for each media, a search schedule that includes a search volume setting for searching information about an account or set of accounts held by that media, according to a time period, based on the access trends from the account or set of accounts to that media and the search volume limit for searching information held by that media. The information search unit 409 (crawling unit 410) is an account-specific information search unit (account-specific crawling unit) that searches for and acquires information about an account or set of accounts held by that media, based on the search schedule for each media.

[0124] The right side of FIG. 25 shows that "search word (set)" is added to "media" and "time period" as a "dimension" when analyzing access trends and controlling search volume. In the case on the right side of Fig. 25, the system 101 acquires access statistics information for each time period and for each word or word set (or for only a specific word or a specific word set), and performs access trend analysis. The system 101 then sets a search volume setting value (upper limit of search volume for a time period) for searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by media for each time period and for each word or word set that uses media (or for only a word or a specific word set). In the case on the right side of Figure 25, the access analysis unit 402 is a word-specific access analysis unit that analyzes, for each media, the access trends to that media related to the search word or set of search words used when searching for information held by that media. The search schedule creation unit 404 is a word-specific search schedule creation unit that creates, for each media, a search schedule that includes a search volume setting for searching information related to the search word or set of search words held by that media, according to the time period, based on the access trends to that media related to the search word or set of search words and the search volume limit when searching for information held by that media. The information search unit 409 (crawling unit 410) is a word-specific information search unit (word-specific crawling unit) that searches for and acquires information related to the search word or set of search words held by that media, based on the search schedule for each media.

[0125] When adding additional dimensions as "dimensions" for analyzing access trends or controlling search volume, the number of dimensions to be added is arbitrary, and the content of the added dimensions is also arbitrary (not limited to the above-mentioned "account (set)" and "search word (set)"). For example, the number of dimensions to be added could be two, and when analyzing access trends or controlling search volume, the dimensions could be four-dimensional by adding "account (set)" and "search word (set)" to "media" and "time period."

[0126] Modification A can achieve more detailed access trend analysis and search volume control. For example, in the case of the left side of Figure 25, Modification A can acquire (collect) information related to a specific user (account) or a specific set of users (accounts) from the entire set of users (accounts) who use the media. Also, in the case of the right side of Figure 25, Modification A can acquire (collect) information related to a specific search word or a set of specific search words from the information held by the media. Therefore, acquisition (collection) of information that is in line with the intended use of the acquired (collected) information is realized.

[0127] (Variation B) Pipelining of access trend analysis and information search In variant B, the process of searching and acquiring (collecting) information held by the media by the crawling unit 410 and on-demand search unit 418 included in the information search unit 409, and the process of acquiring and analyzing statistical information on access to the media from users (accounts) using the media by the access statistical information acquisition unit 401 and access analysis unit 402 can be carried out simultaneously in parallel. The results of the analysis of access statistics are then reflected in the control of subsequent information search and acquisition (collection) processes. In other words, access trend analysis and information search can be performed in a sort of pipeline processing mode.

[0128] Modification B makes it possible to quickly adapt to changes in the trends of access to media from users (accounts) who use the media.

[0129] (Variation C) Merging and splitting tables In Modification C, it is possible to integrate the various tables shown in the description of the above embodiment, or to divide certain tables.

[0130] Modification C allows the configuration of the system 101 to be determined flexibly.

[0131] The technical matters shown in the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure and the modified examples of the embodiments can be combined as appropriate as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: an access analysis unit that analyzes, for each of the media, the access trends of users of the media; a search schedule creation unit that creates a search schedule for each of the media, the search schedule including a search volume setting according to a time period, based on the access tendency to the media and a search volume limit when searching for information contained in the media; The system further comprises an information search unit that searches for and acquires the information contained in each of the media based on the search schedule.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, the system includes a search schedule table indicating the search schedule; the access analysis unit analyzes, for each of the media, information on the amount of access from users of the media to the media for each time period for access trend analysis; the search schedule creation unit creates, for each of the media, the search schedule including a set value of the search volume for each time period for search volume control based on information on the access volume to the media for each time period for the access trend analysis and a limit value of the search volume when searching for the information held by the media, and records the search schedule in the search schedule table; The information search unit A system having a crawling unit that, when performing crawling to search for the information held by the media after a search time and a search word for crawling are specified, performs the crawling so that the search volume is less than or equal to the set value of the search volume in the time period for search volume control that includes the search time, as shown in the search schedule table.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, The access analysis unit a high-access time slot identifying unit that identifies, for each of the media, a high-access time slot during which the amount of access to the media is evaluated to be high, based on the information on the amount of access for each time slot for the access trend analysis; The search schedule creation unit a set value total control unit that controls the set value of the search volume for each of the media so that the sum of the set values ​​of the search volume for each time period for search volume control, which is included in a period in which the limit value of the search volume is set when searching the information held by the media, is equal to or less than the limit value of the search volume; The system has a high access time period setting value control unit that sets, for each of the media, the set value of the search volume in the time period for search volume control corresponding to the time period for access trend analysis that is evaluated to be the high access time period of the media to be larger than the set value of the search volume in the time period for search volume control corresponding to the time period for access trend analysis that is evaluated not to be the high access time period of the media.

4. 4. The system of claim 3, The system further includes an on-demand search receiving unit and an on-demand search setting unit, the on-demand search receiving unit receives an on-demand search word, The on-demand search setting unit an access volume determination unit that determines whether the access trend analysis time period corresponding to the search volume control time period that includes the time when the received on-demand search is to be executed is the high-access time period for the media; a margin determination unit that determines whether there is a margin for setting an on-demand search volume for the on-demand search so that the total of the search volumes for each of the media is equal to or less than the limit value during a period in which the limit value of the search volume is set when searching for the information contained in the media; an on-demand search volume setting unit that sets the on-demand search volume for each of the media when the access high / low determination unit determines that the time is the high-access time period for the media and the margin determination unit determines that there is margin for setting the on-demand search volume; The information search unit The system has an on-demand search unit that, when an on-demand search is performed to search the information contained in the media on demand after the on-demand search word is specified, performs the on-demand search so that the search volume for each of the media is less than the on-demand search volume set for that media.

5. 5. The system of claim 4, The system includes a user interface control; the user interface control unit controls display of a screen for receiving a request to search for the information stored in the medium, The screen for receiving a request to search for the information stored in the medium includes: a user interface for requesting an on-demand search to receive the on-demand search words; a crawling setting editing user interface for editing information included in the search schedule table; a search policy display user interface for displaying information about a search policy including information about the search volume related to the crawling or the on-demand search; The system shows one or more of a search result display user interface for displaying search results from the crawling or the on-demand search.

6. 5. The system of claim 4, The slack determination unit determines that there is slack to set the on-demand search volume when the difference between the limit value of the search volume when searching the information contained in the media and the sum of the used search volume, which is the search volume already searched since the start of the period in which the limit value was set, and the set values ​​of the search volumes indicated in the search schedule table for the crawling scheduled from the time the on-demand search request is received until the end of the period, is positive for each of the media.

7. 5. The system of claim 4, The on-demand search setting unit has an on-demand search volume forced setting unit, the on-demand search volume forcing setting unit sets the on-demand search volume for any of the media when the total of the on-demand search volumes set by the on-demand search volume setting unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value; The on-demand search volume forcible setting unit is capable of forcibly lowering the set value of the search volume indicated by the search schedule table, which is set within the period in which the limit value of the search volume when searching the information held by the media is set and in the search volume control time period that is later than the search volume control time period that includes the time when the on-demand search is received, and setting the reduced search volume as the increase in the on-demand search volume to be set for the media.

8. 4. The system of claim 3, A search priority is set for each of the media; The search schedule creation unit a residual search volume setting unit that sets a residual search volume, which is a difference obtained by subtracting the total of the set values ​​of the search volumes for each time period for search volume control included in a period in which the limit value is set, from the limit value of the search volume when searching for the information held by the media, for each of the media; the residual search volume setting unit sets the residual search volume of the media not ranked high in the search priority to be larger than the residual search volume of the media ranked high in the search priority; The set value total control unit further controls the set value of the search volume for each of the media so that the sum of the set values ​​of the search volume for each time period for search volume control, which is included in the period in which the limit value of the search volume when searching the information held by the media is set, and the sum of the residual search volume is less than or equal to the limit value of the search volume, in the system.

9. 9. The system of claim 8, The system includes a search priority setting unit, a search priority table, a search performance recording unit, a search performance table, and a search priority adjustment unit, the search priority setting unit sets the search priority of each of the media in the search priority table in response to an input for setting the search priority of each of the media; the search priority table is capable of holding information on the search priority for each of the media; the search record recording unit records, for each of the media, a search record of the information stored in the media by the information search unit in the search record table; the search record table is capable of storing information on the search record for each of the media, The search performance is either the number of hits in the search or the level of an index indicating the attention given to the information hit in the search, The index indicating the degree of attention is one of the following: the recency of the posting time of the information hit in the search, the number of times the posted information of the media has been viewed by users of the media, the number of times the posted information of the media has been responded to by users of the media, or the number of times the posted information of the media has been shared by users of the media; The search priority adjustment unit adjusts the search priority of the media according to the search results for the media, and records the adjustment result in the search priority table.

10. 3. The system of claim 2, The system includes an access statistics information table, The system, wherein the access statistical information table is capable of holding information on the amount of access from users of the media to the media for each time period used for the access trend analysis for each of the media.

11. 3. The system of claim 2, The system includes a used search volume recording unit, a used search volume table, a current day search schedule initialization unit, a current day search schedule table, and a current day search schedule adjustment unit, the used search volume recording unit records, for each of the media, a used search volume, which is a search volume already searched after a start of a period in which the limit value of the search volume when searching the information held by the media is set, in the used search volume table; the used search volume table is capable of holding, for each of the media, information on the used search volume relating to the media; the current day search schedule initialization unit transcribes information held in the search schedule table into the current day search schedule table at the start of a period in which the limit value of the search volume for searching the information held by each of the media is set, The system includes a current day search schedule adjustment unit that adjusts the set value of the search volume for each time period for search volume control within the period in which the limit value of the search volume is set based on the used search volume for each of the media, and reflects the adjustment result in the current day search schedule table.

12. 2. The system of claim 1, the access analysis unit is an account-specific access analysis unit that analyzes, for each of the media, the access trends to the media from each of the accounts or each of the sets of accounts held by the users of the media; the search schedule creation unit is an account-specific search schedule creation unit that creates, for each of the media, the search schedule including a setting of the search volume when searching for information on the account or set of accounts held by the media according to a time period, based on the tendency of access to the media from the account or set of accounts and a limit on the search volume when searching for information held by the media; The information search unit is an account-specific information search unit that searches for and acquires, for each of the media, the information related to the account or set of accounts held by the media based on the search schedule.

13. 2. The system of claim 1, the access analysis unit is a word-specific access analysis unit that analyzes, for each media, the tendency of access to the media in relation to the search word or set of search words used when searching for information held by the media; the search schedule creation unit is a word-specific search schedule creation unit that creates the search schedule for each of the media, including a setting of the search volume when searching for information related to the search word or the set of search words held by the media, according to a time period, based on the tendency of access to the media related to the search word or the set of search words and a limit on the search volume when searching for information held by the media; The information search unit is a word-specific information search unit that searches for and acquires, for each of the media, the information related to the search word or set of search words that the media has, based on the search schedule.

14. A method performed by a system, comprising: an access analysis step of analyzing, for each of the media, the access trends of users of the media to the media; a search schedule creation step of creating a search schedule for each of the media, the search schedule including a search volume setting according to a time period, based on the access tendency to the media and a search volume limit when searching for information contained in the media; The method further comprises an information retrieval step of, for each of the media, searching for and acquiring the information contained in the media based on the retrieval schedule.

15. A program, The program includes: an access analysis step of analyzing, for each of the media, the access trends of users of the media to the media; a search schedule creation step of creating a search schedule for each of the media, the search schedule including a search volume setting according to a time period, based on the access tendency to the media and a search volume limit when searching for information contained in the media; a program for executing, for each of the media, an information retrieval step of searching for and acquiring the information contained in the media based on the retrieval schedule;

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