Trademark support system

Abstract

We provide a trademark support system suitable for selecting goods or services. [Solution] The trademark support device 100 displays goods (services) in a hierarchical structure that can be expanded and collapsed based on product information relating to multiple hierarchical goods (services). When the hierarchical structure is collapsed, goods (services) can be selected from goods (services) belonging to higher or equal levels in the hierarchy, and when the hierarchical structure is expanded, goods (services) can be selected from goods (services) belonging to higher or equal levels and expanded lower levels in the hierarchy. This makes it possible to select goods (services) while considering the hierarchical relationships.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for providing trademark-related support, and more particularly, to a trademark support system suitable for selecting products or services.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as technologies for supporting trademark registration applications, for example, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known.

[0003] The technology described in Patent Document 1 includes a first feature amount extraction unit that extracts a first feature amount of a designated product / designated service name, a second feature amount extraction unit that extracts a second feature amount of an input text, a model learning unit that learns a model for estimating a group related to products / services using at least one of the first and second feature amounts as an input, and a product / service information extraction unit that estimates a group based on the second feature amount and the model, and extracts product / service information corresponding to the estimated group. Further, the groups are hierarchically structured, and the product / service information extraction unit estimates a group in the upper hierarchy based on the second feature amount and the model, and estimates a group in the lower hierarchy associated with the estimated group, and extracts product / service information corresponding to each estimated group.

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 2 includes a reception unit that receives text from a user, a search unit that searches a storage means using the text, and an output unit that outputs the search result of the search unit. The storage means stores by associating a product / service name and a plurality of stored product / service names. The search unit examines whether there is something identical or similar to the text with respect to the stored product / service name or product / service group name, and acquires a product / service group name identical or similar to the text, or a product / service group name associated with a stored product / service name identical or similar to the text. The output unit outputs the product / service group name acquired by the search unit as a search result (FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] In trademark practice, when selecting goods or services, the conceptual relationships between the goods or services are sometimes considered. For example, if an applicant deals in the product "Western-style confectionery," they would select the broader category of "confectionery," the identical product "Western-style confectionery," and its subordinate categories such as "sponge cake" and "cookies," but they would not select the similar product "Japanese confectionery" or its subordinate category, "nerikiri."

[0007] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, groups can be hierarchically organized, and higher-level groups and lower-level groups can be estimated, but how the products or services of each resulting group are displayed is not disclosed. In the technology described in Patent Document 2, products or services can be estimated or searched on a group basis, but similarly, how the products or services of the resulting groups are displayed is not disclosed. Therefore, even if all the products or services of a group can be selected, it is not possible to select products or services from among them.

[0008] This problem applies not only when selecting goods or services by considering conceptual relationships, but also when selecting goods or services by considering other relationships.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for selecting goods or services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] [Invention 1] To achieve the above objective, the trademark support system of Invention 1 includes output means that outputs information relating to goods or services in a hierarchical manner based on product information relating to a hierarchical set of goods or services.

[0011] With this configuration, the output means outputs information about products or services hierarchically based on product information.

[0012] Here, "goods or services" include, for example, (1) goods or services designated in a trademark registration application, trademark registration, defensive mark registration application, or defensive mark registration (hereinafter referred to as "trademark registration case"), (2) goods or services that conform to prescribed standards (e.g., current or past examination standards, international standards, or treaty standards) or examination standards, and (3) goods or services before or after a change in goods or services due to a rewriting system or amendment or revision of goods or services. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support system of Inventions 12, 14 to 16, and 18 to 21.

[0013] Furthermore, product information can be composed of, for example, information for identifying a product or service (e.g., name, number, ID, code, link information such as URL). Product information can also be composed of, for example, characters, numbers, figures, codes, symbols, images, sounds, and other information. Furthermore, product information can be composed of keywords related to a product or service (e.g., one or more keywords indicating part of the name of the product or service). The same applies hereafter to the trademark support systems of Inventions 12, 14 to 16, and 18 to 21.

[0014] Furthermore, product information includes, for example, (1) product information relating to the goods or services designated in a trademark registration case (hereinafter referred to as "designated goods, etc."), (2) product information relating to goods or services that conform to prescribed standards (e.g., current or past examination standards, international standards, or treaty standards) or examination standards (hereinafter referred to as "conforming goods, etc."), (3) goods or services before or after a change in goods or services due to a rewriting system or correction or revision of goods or services (hereinafter referred to as "changed goods, etc."), (4) product information relating to goods or services of a higher-level concept that encompasses the designated goods, etc., conforming goods, etc., or changed goods, etc., and (5) product information relating to goods or services of a lower-level concept that is encompassed by the designated goods, etc., conforming goods, etc., or changed goods, etc. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support system of Inventions 12, 14 to 16, and 18 to 21.

[0015] Furthermore, hierarchical classifications include, for example, (1) hierarchical classification based on the conceptual relationship of goods or services; (2) hierarchical classification based on the relationship between goods or services related to Organization A (e.g., goods or services related to Organization A's trademark registration cases) and goods or services related to Organization B (e.g., a subsidiary) belonging to Organization A (e.g., goods or services related to Organization B's trademark registration cases); (3) hierarchical classification based on the relationship between goods or services related to Case, Business, Planning, Project, Promotion, or other Unit (hereinafter referred to as "Case, etc." in this paragraph) A and goods or services related to Case, etc. B belonging to Case, etc. A; and (4) hierarchical classification based on other arbitrarily defined relationships.

[0016] Furthermore, the output means can output information by methods such as display, printing, audio output, writing to storage devices or media, transmitting to other equipment, devices, terminals or other devices, vibration, heat generation, or other means. Therefore, output includes at least display, printing, audio output, writing, transmission, vibration, and heat generation. The same concept of output applies hereafter.

[0017] Furthermore, this system may be implemented as a single device, apparatus, terminal, or other device, or as a network system in which multiple devices, apparatus, terminals, or other devices are connected in a communicative manner. In the latter case, each component may belong to any of the multiple devices, as long as they are connected in a communicative manner. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support systems of Inventions 12, 14 to 16, and 18 to 21.

[0018] [Invention 2] Furthermore, in the trademark support system of Invention 2, the output means outputs information about goods or services in a manner that allows the hierarchical structure of goods or services to be expanded or collapsed, compared to the trademark support system of Invention 1.

[0019] With this configuration, the output means can output information about the goods or services in a way that allows for the expansion or collapse of the hierarchical structure of the goods or services.

[0020] [Invention 3] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 3 is the trademark support system of Invention 1, wherein the output means outputs information about goods or services in a manner that allows the hierarchical structure of goods or services to be expanded and collapsed, and when the hierarchical structure is collapsed, information about goods or services can be selected from information about goods or services belonging to a higher or equal hierarchical level, and when the hierarchical structure is expanded, information about goods or services can be selected from information about goods or services belonging to a higher or equal hierarchical level and an expanded lower hierarchical level.

[0021] With this configuration, the output means outputs information about goods or services in a way that allows for the expansion and collapse of the hierarchical structure of goods or services. When the hierarchical structure is collapsed, information about goods or services belonging to higher or equal levels of the hierarchy can be selected. When the hierarchical structure is expanded, information about goods or services belonging to higher or equal levels of the hierarchy, as well as the expanded lower levels, can be selected.

[0022] [Invention 4] Further, in the trademark support system of Invention 1, the trademark support system of Invention 4 includes a classification information acquisition means for acquiring classification information regarding the classification of products or services, and product information regarding products or services for a plurality of hierarchically classified products or services. A product information acquisition means for acquiring the product information corresponding to the classification information acquired by the classification information acquisition means from a storage means for storing the product information in association with the classification information regarding the classification. The output means hierarchically outputs information regarding products or services based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means.

[0023] With such a configuration, classification information is acquired by the classification information acquisition means, and product information corresponding to the acquired classification information is acquired from the storage means by the product information acquisition means. Then, based on the acquired product information, the output means hierarchically outputs information regarding products or services.

[0024] Here, the classification information acquisition means may, for example, input classification information from an input device or the like, acquire or receive classification information from other devices, apparatuses, terminals or other devices, read classification information from a storage device or a storage medium, etc., or generate or calculate classification information by information processing or the like. Therefore, acquisition includes at least input, acquisition, reception, reading (including search), generation, and calculation. Hereinafter, the concept of acquisition is the same.

[0025] Further, as the product information acquisition means, for example, a configuration for acquiring product information corresponding to classification information by estimating product information from classification information using a learned model stored in a storage means that stores a learned model learned based on learning data including product information and classification information is included. Hereinafter, the concept of acquiring information from the storage means is the same.

[0026] Also, regarding associating and storing product information with classification information, for example, (1) directly associating and storing them, such as registering product information and classification information in the same record, (2) storing them via one or more intermediate pieces of information, such as providing a table for registering product information and intermediate information in association and a table for registering classification information and intermediate information in association. Also included is storing as a learned model learned based on learning data including product information and classification information. That is, any data structure can be adopted as long as product information can be traced from classification information. Note that product information only needs to be stored in the storage means in association with classification information, and it is not always necessary to store classification information in the storage means. Hereinafter, the concept of associative storage of information is the same.

[0027] Moreover, the storage means stores product information by any means and at any time. It may store product information in advance, or it may be configured to store product information from an external input or the like during the operation of the present system without pre-storing the product information. Hereinafter, the same applies to the trademark support systems of Inventions 13, 18 to 21.

[0028] 〔Invention 5〕 Further, in the trademark support system of Invention 5, in the trademark support system of Invention 4, the product information is a group formed by grouping products or services belonging to the same classification and having a common similar group code, and includes group information regarding the group to which the products or services related to the product information belong. The output means outputs information regarding products or services in units of the group.

[0029] With such a configuration, the output means outputs information regarding products or services in units of the group.

[0030] Here, one group can be composed of one or more products or services, and one product or service can belong to one or more groups. Hereinafter, the same applies to the trademark support system of Invention 15.

[0031] Furthermore, "shared similarity group code" means that, when multiple goods or services belong to a single group, some or all of the similarity group codes of one goods or services belonging to the group match some or all of the similarity group codes of other goods or services belonging to the same group. At least two goods or services belonging to the same group may have different similarity group codes as long as at least one similarity group code matches. For example, if three goods 1 to 3 belong to the same group, goods 1 and 2 may share similarity group code A, and goods 2 and 3 may share similarity group code B, and they can still be grouped together as the same group. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support systems of inventions 12 and 15.

[0032] [Invention 6] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 6 includes a registration means that registers information on all goods or services belonging to a selected group from the output results of the output means into a goods list, in addition to the trademark support system of Invention 5.

[0033] In this configuration, the registration means registers information about all goods or services belonging to the selected group from the output results of the output means into the goods list.

[0034] [Invention 7] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 7 is a trademark support system of Invention 5, wherein the output means outputs information about goods or services in a manner that allows for the expansion and collapse of a hierarchical structure of goods or services, and when the hierarchical structure is collapsed, it registers information about all goods or services belonging to a selected group from among the information about goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level in the goods or services list, and when the hierarchical structure is expanded, it registers information about all goods or services belonging to a selected group from among the information about goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level and an expanded lower hierarchical level in the goods list.

[0035] In this configuration, the output means outputs information about goods or services in a way that allows for the expansion and collapse of the hierarchical structure of goods or services. When the hierarchical structure is collapsed, the registration means registers information about all goods or services belonging to a selected group from among the information about goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level into the product list. When the hierarchical structure is expanded, the registration means registers information about all goods or services belonging to a selected group from among the information about goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level and the expanded lower hierarchical level into the product list.

[0036] [Invention 8] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 8 includes a registration means for registering all information relating to goods or services that are output results from the output means into a goods list, in addition to the trademark support system of Invention 4.

[0037] In this configuration, the registration means registers all information regarding goods or services from the output results of the output means into the goods list.

[0038] [Invention 9] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 9 is a trademark support system of Invention 4, wherein the output means outputs information about goods or services in a manner that allows for the expansion and collapse of a hierarchical structure of goods or services, registers information about all goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level in the goods list when the hierarchical structure is collapsed, and registers information about all goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level and a lower hierarchical level in the goods list when the hierarchical structure is expanded.

[0039] In this configuration, the output means outputs information about goods or services in a way that allows the hierarchical structure of goods or services to be expanded and collapsed. When the hierarchical structure is collapsed, the registration means registers information about all goods or services belonging to the higher or same level of the hierarchy in the product list. When the hierarchical structure is expanded, the registration means registers information about all goods or services belonging to the higher or same level of the hierarchy and the expanded lower level in the product list.

[0040] [Invention 10] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 10 includes a second product information acquisition means that references a storage means that stores group information relating to one group of groups of goods or services in association with group information relating to other groups related to that group, and acquires goods or services belonging to the other groups and product information relating to that group, and the output means outputs information relating to goods or services in units of the group based on the product information acquired by the second product information acquisition means.

[0041] In this configuration, the second product information acquisition means acquires product information related to the group, and the output means outputs information about products or services on a group basis based on the acquired product information.

[0042] Here, one group may consist of one or more goods or services, and one good or service may belong to one or more groups. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support system of Invention 14.

[0043] Furthermore, the storage means stores group information by any means and at any time. The group information may be stored in advance, or it may not be stored in advance, but rather stored in response to external input or the like during the operation of the system. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support system of Invention 14.

[0044] [Invention 11] Furthermore, in the trademark support system of Invention 11, the output means outputs information relating to goods or services on a group basis, based on product information relating to one of the groups, other related groups, and the goods or services belonging to those groups.

[0045] With this configuration, the output means outputs information about products or services on a group basis, based on the product information associated with the group.

[0046] [Invention 12] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 12 includes output means that outputs information about goods or services on a group basis, based on groups that group goods or services belonging to the same class and having a common similarity group code, and product information relating to the goods or services belonging to said group.

[0047] In trademark practice, when selecting goods or services, the similarity group code serves as a criterion for defining the scope of trademark search and the range of similarity. Therefore, the similarity group code may be taken into consideration when making the selection.

[0048] However, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, groups are formed based on goods or services estimated by a trained model. While there is a certain degree of correlation between the goods or services belonging to a group, the nature of that correlation is unclear. Therefore, it is difficult to select goods or services by considering similarity group codes.

[0049] Therefore, Invention 12 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for selecting goods or services.

[0050] With the above configuration, the output means outputs information about products or services in groups based on the product information.

[0051] [Invention 13] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 13 is a trademark support system of Invention 12, comprising: a classification information acquisition means for acquiring classification information relating to the classifications; and a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information corresponding to the classification information acquired by the classification information acquisition means from a storage means that stores product information relating to the product or service and the group thereof for products or services that belong to the same classification and have a common similarity group code, in association with the classification information relating to the classifications; and the output means outputs information relating to the product or service in units of the group based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means.

[0052] In this configuration, classification information is acquired by the classification information acquisition means, and product information corresponding to the acquired classification information is acquired from the storage means by the product information acquisition means. Then, based on the acquired product information, information about products or services is output by the output means in units of groups.

[0053] [Invention 14] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 14 includes a product information acquisition means that references a storage means which stores group information relating to one group of groups of goods or services in association with group information relating to other groups related to that group, and acquires goods or services belonging to the other groups and product information relating to that group, and an output means which outputs information relating to goods or services in units of the group based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means.

[0054] In trademark practice, when selecting goods or services, it is advisable to consider the relationships between groups of goods or services when making the selection.

[0055] However, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, groups are formed from goods or services estimated by a trained model. While there is a certain degree of correlation between the goods or services belonging to a group, the correlation is not presented at the group level. Since there may be correlation at the individual goods or services level but not at the group level, and vice versa, it is difficult to select goods or services while considering the correlation between groups of goods or services.

[0056] Therefore, Invention 14 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for selecting goods or services.

[0057] With the above configuration, the product information acquisition means acquires product information related to the group, and the output means outputs information about products or services on a group basis based on the acquired product information.

[0058] [Invention 15] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 15 includes output means that outputs information relating to goods or services on a group basis, based on one group that groups goods or services belonging to the same class and having a common similarity group code, other related groups, and goods or services belonging to said groups.

[0059] In trademark practice, when selecting goods or services, similarity group codes serve as a criterion for defining the scope of trademark search and the range of similarity. Therefore, selection may be made considering similarity group codes. Alternatively, selection may be made by considering the relationships between groups of goods or services.

[0060] However, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, groups are formed based on goods or services estimated by a trained model. While there is a certain degree of correlation between the goods or services belonging to a group, the nature of that correlation is unclear. Therefore, it is difficult to select goods or services by considering similarity group codes.

[0061] Furthermore, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not present relationships at the group level of goods or services. Even if there are relationships at the individual goods or services level, there may be no relationships at the group level, and vice versa, making it difficult to select goods or services while considering the relationships between groups of goods or services.

[0062] Therefore, Invention 15 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for selecting goods or services.

[0063] With the above configuration, the output means outputs information about products or services on a group basis, based on the product information related to the group.

[0064] [Invention 16] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 16 comprises: a first output means for outputting information relating to goods or services based on product information relating to goods or services; a first registration means for registering information relating to goods or services selected from the output results of the first output means in a product list; a second output means for outputting information relating to goods or services based on product information relating to goods or services and information in the product list; and a second registration means for registering information relating to goods or services selected from the output results of the second output means in the product list.

[0065] The technology described in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-169744) involves searching for goods or services based on a search key and selecting goods or services from the search results.

[0066] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 3, when considering a multifaceted search for goods or services by combining multiple search functions, it is difficult to select goods or services from the search results obtained by other search functions, considering the goods or services obtained by one search function, because the search functions are independent.

[0067] Therefore, Invention 16 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for selecting goods or services.

[0068] In the above configuration, the first output means outputs information about a product or service based on the product information, and the first registration means registers the information about the product or service selected from the output results of the first output means into the product list. Furthermore, the second output means outputs information about a product or service based on the product information and the information in the product list, and the second registration means registers the information about the product or service selected from the output results of the second output means into the product list.

[0069] [Invention 17] Furthermore, in the trademark support system of Invention 17, the first output means outputs information relating to goods or services based on the information in the goods list.

[0070] With this configuration, the first output means outputs information about a product or service based on the information in the product list.

[0071] [Invention 18] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 18 includes an extraction means for extracting information relating to goods or services and information relating to the classification of goods or services from a search query in which a plurality of search keys are linked, and an acquisition means for acquiring the product information corresponding to the information extracted by the extraction means from a storage means that stores product information relating to goods or services in association with the information relating to the classification.

[0072] In the technology described in Patent Document 4 (J-PlatPat Product / Service Name Search), if you want to search for products or services in a specific category, you need to perform three actions: (1) enter the category you want to narrow down into in the category search box, (2) enter the search key related to the product or service in the product / service name search box, and (3) click the search button.

[0073] Furthermore, if you want to search for products or services using a specific similarity group code, you will need to perform three actions: (1) enter the similarity group code you want to narrow down into in the similarity group code search box, (2) enter the search key for the product or service in the product / service name search box, and (3) click the search button.

[0074] Furthermore, if you want to search for products or services using a specific category and similar group code, you will need to perform three actions: (1) enter the category you want to narrow down into in the category search box, (2) enter the similar group code you want to narrow down into in the similar group code search box, and (3) click the search button. Additionally, if you want to narrow down your search using a product or service-related search key, you will need to perform four actions: (1) and (2), (3) enter the product or service-related search key in the product / service name search box, and (4) click the search button.

[0075] Therefore, if there are two or more filtering conditions, it is not easy to retrieve the goods or services. In the technology described in Patent Document 4, if there are two or more filtering conditions, it is not easy to obtain goods or services.

[0076] Therefore, Invention 18 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for acquiring goods or services when there are two or more filtering conditions.

[0077] With the above configuration, the extraction means extracts information about goods or services and information about categories from the search query, respectively, and the acquisition means retrieves product information corresponding to the extracted information from the storage means.

[0078] Here, the search query may include one or more pieces of information relating to goods or services as search keys. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support systems of Inventions 19 and 21.

[0079] Furthermore, the search query may include one or more classification-related information as search keys. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support systems of Inventions 20 and 21.

[0080] [Invention 19] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 19 includes an extraction means for extracting information relating to goods or services and information relating to similar group codes from a search query in which a plurality of search keys are linked, and an acquisition means for acquiring the product information corresponding to the information extracted by the extraction means from a storage means that stores product information relating to goods or services in association with information relating to similar group codes.

[0081] In the technology described in Patent Document 4, if there are two or more filtering conditions, it is not easy to obtain goods or services.

[0082] Therefore, Invention 19 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for acquiring goods or services when there are two or more filtering conditions.

[0083] With the above configuration, the extraction means extracts information about products or services and information about similar group codes from the search query, and the acquisition means retrieves product information corresponding to the extracted information from the storage means.

[0084] Here, the search query may include one or more pieces of information regarding similarity group codes as search keys. The same applies hereafter to the trademark support systems of Inventions 20 and 21.

[0085] [Invention 20] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 20 includes an extraction means for extracting information relating to the classification of goods or services and information relating to similar group codes from a search query in which a plurality of search keys are linked, and an acquisition means for acquiring product information corresponding to the information extracted by the extraction means from a storage means that stores product information relating to goods or services in association with the information relating to the classification and similar group codes.

[0086] In the technology described in Patent Document 4, if there are two or more filtering conditions, it is not easy to obtain goods or services.

[0087] Therefore, Invention 20 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for acquiring goods or services when there are two or more filtering conditions.

[0088] In the above configuration, the extraction means extracts information regarding classifications and information regarding similar group codes from the search query, and the acquisition means retrieves product information corresponding to the extracted information from the storage means.

[0089] [Invention 21] Furthermore, the trademark support system of Invention 21 includes an extraction means for extracting information relating to goods or services, information relating to classifications of goods or services, and information relating to similar group codes from a search query in which a plurality of search keys are linked, and an acquisition means for acquiring the product information corresponding to the information extracted by the extraction means from a storage means that stores product information relating to goods or services in association with the information relating to classifications and similar group codes.

[0090] In the technology described in Patent Document 4, if there are two or more filtering conditions, it is not easy to obtain goods or services.

[0091] Therefore, Invention 21 was made in view of the unresolved problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a trademark support system suitable for acquiring goods or services when there are two or more filtering conditions.

[0092] In the above configuration, the extraction means extracts information about products or services, information about categories, and information about similar group codes from the search query, and the acquisition means retrieves product information corresponding to the extracted information from the storage means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0093] As explained above, the trademark support system of Invention 1 allows for the selection of information regarding goods or services while taking hierarchical relationships into consideration.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of invention 2 or 3, it is possible to unfold or collapse a hierarchical structure and select information about goods or services.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 4, it is possible to select information regarding goods or services corresponding to a classification.

[0096] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 5, information on goods or services can be selected in units of groups that belong to the same class and share a common similarity group code.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of invention 6 or 7, information on all goods or services belonging to a selected group can be registered in a product list all at once.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of invention 8 or 9, all information regarding goods or services from the output results of the output means can be registered in a product list all at once.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 10, information regarding goods or services can be selected on a group basis for related groups.

[0100] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 11, information on goods or services can be selected for related groups in units of groups that belong to the same class and share a common similarity group code.

[0101] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 12, information on goods or services can be selected in units of groups that belong to the same class and share a common similarity group code.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 13, it is possible to select information regarding goods or services corresponding to a classification.

[0103] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 14, information regarding goods or services can be selected on a group basis for related groups.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 15, information on goods or services can be selected for related groups in units of groups that belong to the same class and share a common similarity group code.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 16, information concerning goods or services can be selected from the output results of the second output means, taking into consideration the output results of the first output means.

[0106] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 17, information concerning goods or services can be selected from the output results of the first output means, taking into consideration the output results of the second output means.

[0107] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 18, if a search query is provided that includes information about goods or services and information about classifications, product information corresponding to this information can be obtained.

[0108] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 19, if a search query is provided that includes information about goods or services and information about similarity group codes, product information corresponding to this information can be obtained.

[0109] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 20, if a search query is provided that includes information on classifications and information on similarity group codes, product information corresponding to this information can be obtained.

[0110] Furthermore, according to the trademark support system of Invention 21, if a search query is provided that includes information about goods or services, information about classifications, and information about similarity group codes, product information corresponding to this information can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0111] [Figure 1] This figure shows the hardware configuration of the trademark support device 100. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the data structure of product information table 400. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the data structure of the related group information table 430. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the main process. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the first product selection process. [Figure 6] This screen explains the process when selecting a category. [Figure 7] This screen is used to explain how to display products (services). [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the first product selection process 2. [Figure 9] This screen is used to explain how the hierarchical structure works when it is expanded. [Figure 10] This screen is used to explain how the hierarchical structure works when it is expanded. [Figure 11] This screen explains the process of selecting a product (service). [Figure 12] This screen explains the process of selecting a product (service). [Figure 13] This screen explains the process of selecting a product (service). [Figure 14] This screen explains the process of selecting a product (service). [Figure 15] This screen explains the process of selecting a product (service). [Figure 16]This screen explains the process of selecting a product (service). [Figure 17] This screen explains the process of deselecting a product (service). [Figure 18] This screen explains the process of selecting all products (services) belonging to a group. [Figure 19] This screen explains the process of selecting all products (services) belonging to a group. [Figure 20] This screen explains the process of selecting all products (services) belonging to a group. [Figure 21] This screen explains the process when selecting all products (services) within a given category. [Figure 22] This screen explains the process when selecting all products (services) within a given category. [Figure 23] This screen explains the process when selecting all products (services) within a given category. [Figure 24] This screen explains how to display products (services) from related groups. [Figure 25] This is a flowchart showing the second product selection process. [Figure 26] This screen explains how to search for products (services). [Figure 27] This screen explains how to search for products (services). [Figure 28] This screen explains how to search for products (services). [Figure 29] This screen explains how to search for products (services). [Figure 30] This screen explains the operation when selecting a product (service) using the functions related to the second product selection process. [Figure 31] This screen explains the operation when selecting a product (service) using the functions related to the third product selection process. [Figure 32]This block shows the configuration of the network system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0112] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Figures 1 to 31 show these embodiments.

[0113] (Definition of terms) In the following explanation, goods or services will be referred to as "goods (services)". However, in the flowcharts in Figures 4, 5, 8, and 25, they will be referred to as "goods" for simplicity. Also, groups related to a group will be referred to as "related groups".

[0114] First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 shows the hardware configuration of the trademark support device 100.

[0115] As shown in Figure 1, the trademark support device 100 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 that controls calculations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32 that stores the control program for the CPU 30 in a predetermined area, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34 for storing data read from the ROM 32 and other memory, as well as calculation results necessary for the calculation process of the CPU 30, and an I / F (Interface) 38 that mediates data input and output to external devices. These components are connected to each other and enable data exchange via a bus 39, which is a signal line for data transfer.

[0116] I / F38 is connected to an external device, which includes an input device 40 consisting of a keyboard and mouse that can input data as a human interface, a storage device 42 that stores data and tables as files, and a display device 44 that displays a screen based on an image signal.

[0117] Next, we will explain the data structure of the storage device 42. Figure 2 shows the data structure of product information table 400.

[0118] As shown in Figure 2, the storage device 42 stores the product information table 400. The product information table 400 contains one record for each product (service). Each record includes a field 402 that registers a product ID uniquely assigned to the product (service). In the following descriptions of fields 404 to 418, the product (service) related to field 402 will be referred to as the "target product (service)".

[0119] Each record further includes a field 404 that registers the product ID of the higher-level product (service) of the target product (service).

[0120] In the example in Figure 2, the product "Clothing" is assigned product ID "4675," while the products "Clothing" to "Shirts" are assigned product IDs "4676," "4677," "4678," "4679," and their higher-level category product ID "4675." This indicates that the higher-level category of the products "Clothing" to "Shirts" is the product "Clothing." In this case, the products "Clothing" to "Shirts" belong to a hierarchy one level below the product "Clothing."

[0121] Furthermore, the products "Evening Dress" to "Skirt" are assigned product IDs "4680" to "4689" and their higher-level counterpart, product ID "4676". This indicates that the higher-level product for "Evening Dress" to "Skirt" is the product "Clothing". In this case, "Evening Dress" to "Skirt" belongs to the hierarchy one level below the product "Clothing".

[0122] Each record further includes a field 406 for registering a group ID that is uniquely assigned to the group to which the product (service) belongs.

[0123] Groups are defined as products (services) belonging to the same category and sharing a common similarity group code. A common similarity group code means that, when multiple products (services) belong to a group, some or all of the similarity group codes of one product (service) belonging to that group match some or all of the similarity group codes of other products (services) belonging to the same group. At least two products (services) belonging to the same group may have different similarity group codes, as long as at least one of them matches. For example, if three products (1-3) belong to the same group, products 1 and 2 may share similarity group code A, and products 2 and 3 may share similarity group code B; they can still be grouped together as the same group.

[0124] In the example in Figure 2, the product "Clothing" to "Skirt" is assigned the group ID "556". This indicates that the products "Clothing" to "Skirt" belong to the same group. This is because all of these products belong to category "25" and are commonly assigned the similarity group code "17A01".

[0125] Each record further includes a field 408 that registers the display order of the target product (service) in the hierarchy one level below the highest hierarchy (hereinafter referred to as the "first hierarchy") if the target product (service) belongs to a lower hierarchy.

[0126] In the example in Figure 2, the products "Clothing" to "Shirts" are assigned numbers No. 1 "1" to "4". This indicates that in the second level displayed when the product "Clothing" is expanded, the products "Clothing", "Coats", "Sweaters", and "Shirts" are displayed in that order.

[0127] Each record further includes a field 410 that registers the display order of the target product (service) in the hierarchy one level below the second level (hereinafter referred to as the "third level"), if the target product (service) belongs to a lower hierarchy.

[0128] In the example in Figure 2, the products "Evening Dress" to "Skirt" are assigned numbers No. 2 "1" to "10," respectively. This indicates that in the third level, which is displayed when the product "Clothing" is expanded, the products "Evening Dress" to "Skirt" are displayed in that order.

[0129] Each record further includes a field 412 that registers the depth of the hierarchy to which the product (service) belongs.

[0130] In the example in Figure 2, the products "clothing," "clothing," and "evening dress" are assigned hierarchical levels "1," "2," and "3," respectively. This indicates that "clothing" belongs to the first hierarchical level, "clothing" to the second hierarchical level, and "evening dress" to the third hierarchical level.

[0131] Each record further includes a field 414 for registering the category of the target product (service), a field 416 for registering the name of the target product (service), and a field 418 for registering the similarity group code of the target product (service).

[0132] Figure 3 shows the data structure of the related group information table 430. The storage device 42 also stores an associated group information table 430, as shown in Figure 3.

[0133] The related group information table 430 contains one record for each combination of a group and a related group.

[0134] Each record consists of a field 432 for registering the group ID of the group, a field 434 for registering the group IDs of the related groups of that group, and a field 436 for registering the degree of relevance of the groups in fields 432 and 434.

[0135] In the example in Figure 3, group ID "556" is associated with the group IDs "564," "569," "576," "586," "587," and "590" as related groups, and with association degrees of "1391," "1317," "1305," "1179," "1144," and "1105" as associated groups. This indicates that the group with group ID "556" is related to the groups with group IDs "564," "569," "576," "586," "587," and "590," and that the association degrees are in that order from highest to lowest.

[0136] The degree of relevance can be set, for example, using the following configuration: The first configuration is as follows: For each product (service) in Group A and each product (service) in Group B, the number of past trademark registrations in which that product (service) in both Group A and Group B is specified (frequency of occurrence) is calculated, and the highest frequency of occurrence is set as the degree of relevance between Group A and Group B.

[0137] The second structure is as follows: For each product (service) in Group A, the number of times that product (service) is specified in past trademark registrations (frequency of occurrence) is calculated, and the product (service) with the highest frequency of occurrence is designated as the representative product (service) of Group A. Then, for each product (service) in Group B, the number of times that product (service) is specified in trademark registrations that designate the representative product (service) of Group A (frequency of occurrence) is calculated, and the highest frequency of occurrence is set as the degree of relevance between Group A and B.

[0138] The third configuration is as follows: For each product (service) in Group A, the number of times that product (service) is specified in past trademark registrations (frequency of occurrence) is calculated, and the product (service) with the highest frequency of occurrence is designated as the representative product (service) of Group A. Similarly, a representative product (service) is identified for Group B. Then, the number of times that both the representative product (service) of Group A and the representative product (service) of Group B are specified in past trademark registrations (frequency of occurrence) is calculated, and the highest frequency of occurrence is set as the degree of relevance between Groups A and B.

[0139] In terms of relevance, in addition to the highest frequency of occurrence, other options may be used, such as the lowest frequency of occurrence, a predetermined number of occurrences from the top or bottom, an occurrence above or below a predetermined value, or the mean, median, or other statistics of occurrence. Furthermore, in addition to the product (service) with the highest frequency of occurrence, other options may be used, such as the product (service) with the lowest frequency of occurrence, a product (service) with a predetermined rank from the top or bottom of the frequency of occurrence, or a product (service) whose frequency, mean, median, or other statistics are above or below a predetermined value.

[0140] The storage device 42 also stores a product list (not shown) in which the name, category, and similar group code of each product (service) selected by the user are registered.

[0141] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the main processing steps.

[0142] The CPU 30 consists of an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), etc., and starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32, and executes the main process shown in the flowchart of Figure 4 according to that program. The main process is a process that is executed in response to a request from the user, and when it is executed by the CPU 30, it first proceeds to step S100, as shown in Figure 4.

[0143] In step S100, the hierarchical structure of products (services) is displayed in an expandable and collapsible manner, and the first product selection process is executed to register the selected product (service) from the displayed product list into a common product list.

[0144] Next, the process moves to step S102, where a second product selection process is executed to search for and display products (services) based on the search key, and to register the selected products (services) from the displayed product list into a common product list.

[0145] Next, the process moves to step S104, where a third product selection process is executed to search for and display products (services) based on the search key, and to register the selected products (services) from the displayed product list into a common product list.

[0146] The first to third product selection processes are switched and executed according to the user's request, based on the user's selection from the menu.

[0147] Next, the process proceeds to step S106 to determine whether the user has requested the termination of the process. If it is determined that the user has requested the termination of the process (YES), the process proceeds to step S108 to output the product list information to a file or the like. The user can then use the output file or the like to create a trademark registration application form or the like.

[0148] Once the process in step S108 is completed, the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that termination of processing is not requested (NO), the process proceeds to step S100.

[0149] [First Product Selection Process] Next, we will explain the case where a product (service) is selected using the functions related to the first product selection process.

[0150] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the first product selection process 1. The CPU 30 starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32 and executes the first product selection process 1 shown in the flowchart of Figure 5 according to that program. When the first product selection process 1 is executed in step S100, the process first proceeds to step S200, as shown in Figure 5.

[0151] In step S200, it is determined whether a category has been selected by the user from the category list. If it is determined that a category has been selected (YES), the process proceeds to step S202.

[0152] Figure 6 is a screen illustrating the process of selecting a category. In the upper left corner of Figure 6, the Classification List 500 is displayed. The Classification List 500 shows 45 classifications, from Class 1 to Class 45, each numbered from "1" to "45". The user selects the classification of the product (service) they wish to select from the Classification List 500.

[0153] On the right side of the screen in Figure 6, there is an area 502 for displaying the product list. In the example in Figure 6, no products (services) have been selected yet, so the product list is not displayed. Clicking button 504 will clear the contents of the product list (delete all products (services) from the product list).

[0154] In step S202, product information corresponding to the selected category is retrieved from product information table 400, and the process proceeds to step S204.

[0155] In step S204, based on the product information and product list information obtained in step S202, products (services) are displayed on the display device 44 for each group. Each product (service) is provided with a checkbox for selecting that product (service) (hereinafter referred to as the "product selection checkbox"). When the product (service) is displayed, the product selection checkbox is set to a checked state if that product (service) is registered in the product list. The same applies to the checkbox for selecting all products (services) belonging to a group (hereinafter referred to as the "group all selection checkbox") and the checkbox for selecting all products (services) in a category (hereinafter referred to as the "category all selection checkbox").

[0156] Figure 7 is a screen illustrating the operation when displaying products (services). In the screen shown in Figure 6, when a user clicks on category "25" (symbol 506) from the category list 500, the products of category "25" are displayed in the product list area 508, grouped together, as shown in Figure 7. Products (services) belonging to the same group are enclosed by borders or the like, and displayed in a manner that allows the group to be identified.

[0157] The first group from the top belongs to the product "clothing". The product "clothing" is assigned five similarity group codes: "17A01 17A02 17A03 17A04 17A07".

[0158] The second group from the top includes the product categories "Clothing" to "Dress Shirts." Each of these product categories is assigned the similarity group code "17A01."

[0159] The third group from the top includes products ranging from "pajamas" to "swimming caps." Each of these products is assigned the similarity group code "17A02."

[0160] Each product (service) has a checkbox 510 (product selection checkbox). Users can select a product (service) by checking the product selection checkbox.

[0161] In the upper left corner of each group, there is a checkbox 512 (select all group checkbox). By checking this checkbox, the user can select all products (services) belonging to that group.

[0162] At the top of the product list area 508, there is a checkbox 514 (select all categories checkbox). By checking the select all categories checkbox, the user can select all products (services) in that category.

[0163] The selected product (service) will be registered in the product list. Duplicate products (services) will be removed from the product list. Also, unchecking checkboxes 510-514 will remove the corresponding product (service) from the product list.

[0164] Once the process in step S204 is completed, the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S200 that no category is selected (NO), the series of processes is terminated.

[0165] Next, we will explain the process of selecting a product (service). Figure 8 is a flowchart of the first product selection process 2.

[0166] The CPU 30 starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32 and executes the first product selection process 2 shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 according to that program. The first product selection process 2 is executed when a product (service) is displayed by the process in step S204, and when it is executed by the CPU 30, it first proceeds to step S300, as shown in Figure 8.

[0167] In step S300, it is determined whether the user has clicked the expand icon for expanding the hierarchical structure. If it is determined that the expand icon has been clicked (YES), the process proceeds to step S302, where the hierarchical structure of the product (service) corresponding to the expand icon is expanded, and the products (services) belonging to the lower levels of that product (service) are displayed on the display device 44.

[0168] Figures 9 and 10 are screenshots illustrating the operation when a hierarchical structure is expanded. [Development of the first layer] In the screen shown in Figure 7, when the user clicks the expand icon 516 for the product "Clothing," the hierarchical structure of the product "Clothing" expands as shown in Figure 9, and products belonging to the lower levels, from "Clothing" to "Eye Masks" and other products not shown, are displayed. Products (services) in the lower levels are displayed with an indentation relative to the products (services) in the level above them.

[0169] [Development of the second tier] Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 9, when the user clicks the expand icon 516 for the product "Clothing," the hierarchical structure of the product "Clothing" expands, as shown in Figure 10, and products belonging to the lower levels, such as "Evening Dresses" to "Ski Pants" and other products not shown, are displayed. Products (services) in the lower levels are displayed with an indentation relative to the products (services) in the level above them.

[0170] Next, the process moves to step S304 to determine whether the user has clicked the collapse icon for collapsing the hierarchical structure. If it is determined that the collapse icon has been clicked (YES), the process moves to step S306 to collapse the hierarchical structure of the product (service) corresponding to the collapse icon and hide the products (services) belonging to the lower levels of that product (service).

[0171] [Second level folding] In the screen shown in Figure 10, when the user clicks the collapse icon 518 for the item "Clothing," the hierarchical structure of the item "Clothing" is collapsed, as shown in Figure 9, and items belonging to the lower levels, such as "Evening Dresses" to "Ski Pants" and other items not shown, are hidden.

[0172] [First level folding] Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 9, when the user clicks the collapse icon 518 for the product "Clothing," the hierarchical structure of the product "Clothing" is collapsed, as shown in Figure 7, and products belonging to the lower levels, such as "Clothing" to "Eye Masks" and other products not shown, are hidden.

[0173] Next, the process moves to step S308 to determine whether the product selection checkbox was clicked by the user. If it is determined that the product selection checkbox was clicked (YES), the process moves to step S310.

[0174] In step S310, it is determined whether the product selection checkbox was checked as a result of the click. If it is determined that the product selection checkbox was checked (YES), the process proceeds to step S312, where the product (service) corresponding to the product selection checkbox is registered in the product list.

[0175] Figures 11 to 16 are screens illustrating the process of selecting a product (service). [Selection of goods (services)] In the screen shown in Figure 7, when the user clicks the product selection checkbox for the product "Clothing," the selected product "Clothing" is registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 11.

[0176] [Selection of goods (services) at the second level] Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the product "clothing" is expanded (similar to the expanded state in Figure 9), and the user clicks the product selection checkbox for the product "clothing" or "coat," the selected products "clothing" and "coat" are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 12. In product list 520, the products "clothing" and "coat" are added after the previously registered product "clothing."

[0177] [Selection of third-tier goods (services)] Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the "clothing" product is expanded (similar to the expanded state in Figure 10), and the user clicks the product selection checkboxes for "evening dress" and "school uniform," the selected products "evening dress" and "school uniform" are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 13. In product list 520, the products "evening dress" and "school uniform" are added after the previously registered product "coat."

[0178] [Selection of products (services) during the first tier expansion] In the expanded hierarchical structure of the "Clothing" product (Figure 9), when a user clicks the product selection checkbox for "Clothing," as shown in Figure 14, the selected "Clothing" product, as well as all products belonging to lower levels of the "Clothing" product hierarchy, from "Clothing" to "Fur Stoles" and other products not shown, are registered in product list 520.

[0179] Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the product "Clothing" is expanded and the products "Clothing" and "Coats" are selected (similar to the expanded state in Figure 9), if the user clicks the product selection checkbox for the product "Clothing," in addition to the selected product "Clothing," all products belonging to the lower levels of the product "Clothing," from "Sweaters" to "Fur Stoles" and other products, will be registered in product list 520. In product list 520, products "Clothing," "Sweaters," "Fur Stoles," and other products will be added after the previously registered product "Coats."

[0180] [Selection of products (services) during the second tier expansion] In the expanded hierarchical structure of the products "Clothing" and "Clothing" (Figure 10), when a user clicks the product selection checkbox for "Clothing," as shown in Figure 15, the selected product "Clothing," as well as all products belonging to the lower levels of "Clothing" and the lower levels of "Clothing," from "Clothing" to "Sweaters" and other products not shown, are registered in product list 520.

[0181] Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the products "clothing" and "clothing" is expanded and the products "evening dress" and "school uniform" are selected (similar to the expanded state in Figure 10), if the user clicks the product selection checkbox for the product "clothing", in addition to the selected product "clothing", all products belonging to the lower levels of the product "clothing" and the lower levels of the product "clothing", such as "clothing", "children's clothing", "sweaters", and other products, will be registered in product list 520. In product list 520, products such as "clothing", "clothing", "children's clothing", "sweaters", and other products will be added after the previously registered product "school uniform".

[0182] Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the products "clothing" and "clothing" is expanded and the products "evening dress" and "school uniform" are selected (similar to the expanded state in Figure 10), if the user clicks the product selection checkbox for the product "clothing," as shown in Figure 16, in addition to the selected product "clothing," all products belonging to the lower hierarchy of the product "clothing," from "children's clothing" to "formal wear," are registered in product list 520. In product list 520, the products "clothing," "children's clothing," and "formal wear" are added after the previously registered product "school uniform."

[0183] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S310 that the product selection checkbox is not checked (NO), the process proceeds to step S314, where the product (service) corresponding to the product selection checkbox is removed from the product list.

[0184] [Deselect product (service)] In the screen shown in Figure 11, when the user unchecks the item "Clothing," the unselected item "Clothing" is removed from the item list 520, as shown in Figure 7.

[0185] [Deselecting products (services) during the first level of expansion] In the screen shown in Figure 12, when the user unchecks the item "Clothing," as shown in Figure 9, not only the unselected item "Clothing," but also all items belonging to the lower hierarchy of "Clothing," such as "Clothing" and "Coat," are removed from the item list 520.

[0186] [Deselecting products (services) during the second tier expansion] In the screen shown in Figure 13, when the user unchecks the item "Clothing," as shown in Figure 10, not only the unselected item "Clothing," but also all items belonging to the lower levels of "Clothing" and the lower levels of "Clothing," such as "Clothing," "Coat," "Evening Dress," and "School Uniform," are removed from the item list 520.

[0187] Figure 17 is a screen illustrating the process of deselecting a product (service). Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 13, if the user unchecks the item "Clothing," as shown in Figure 17, not only the unselected item "Clothing," but also all items belonging to the lower hierarchy of "Clothing," such as "Evening Dress" and "School Uniform," will be removed from the item list 520.

[0188] Once steps S312 and S314 are completed, the process proceeds to step S316. In step S316, it is determined whether the "Select All Group" checkbox was clicked by the user. If it is determined that the "Select All Group" checkbox was clicked (YES), the process proceeds to step S318.

[0189] In step S318, it is determined whether the "Select All Group" checkbox was checked as a result of the click. If it is determined that the "Select All Group" checkbox was checked (YES), the process proceeds to step S320, where all products (services) belonging to the group corresponding to the "Select All Group" checkbox are registered in the product list.

[0190] Figures 18 to 20 are screens illustrating the operation when selecting all products (services) belonging to a group.

[0191] [Select all groups] In the screen shown in Figure 7, when the user clicks the "Select All" checkbox for the first group from the top, all "Clothing" products belonging to the selected group are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 18.

[0192] [Select all groups when expanding to the first level] In the expanded hierarchical structure of the product "Clothing" (Figure 9), when the user clicks the "Select All" checkbox for the first group from the top, all products belonging to the selected group, from "Clothing" to "Fur Stoles" and other products not shown (product "Clothing" and all products belonging to the lower levels of "Clothing"), are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 19.

[0193] [Select all groups when expanding to the second level] In the expanded hierarchical structure of the products "Clothing" and "Clothing" (Figure 10), when the user clicks the "Select All" checkbox for the first group from the top, all products belonging to the selected group, from "Clothing" to "Fur Stoles" and other products not shown (all products belonging to "Clothing" and its sub-hierarchies and sub-hierarchies of "Clothing"), are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 20.

[0194] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S318 that the "Select All Group" checkbox is not checked (NO), the process proceeds to step S322, where all products (services) belonging to the group corresponding to the "Select All Group" checkbox are removed from the product list.

[0195] [Deselect all items in the group] In the screen shown in Figure 18, when the user unchecks the first group from the top, all "clothing" items belonging to the unselected group are removed from the product list 520, as shown in Figure 7.

[0196] [Deselect all groups in the first tier expansion] In the screen shown in Figure 19, when the user unchecks the first group from the top, all items belonging to the unselected group, from "Clothing" to "Fur Stoles" and other items not shown (item "Clothing" and all items belonging to lower levels of "Clothing"), are removed from the item list 520, as shown in Figure 9.

[0197] [Deselect all groups when expanding to the second level] In the screen shown in Figure 20, when the user unchecks the first group from the top, all items belonging to the unselected group, from "Clothing" to "Fur Stoles" and other items not shown (all items belonging to the "Clothing" category and its sub-categories and sub-categories) are removed from the item list 520, as shown in Figure 10.

[0198] Once steps S320 and S322 are completed, the process proceeds to step S324. In step S324, it is determined whether the "Select All Categories" checkbox was clicked by the user. If it is determined that the "Select All Categories" checkbox was clicked (YES), the process proceeds to step S326.

[0199] In step S326, it is determined whether the "Select All Categories" checkbox was checked as a result of the click. If it is determined that the "Select All Categories" checkbox was checked (YES), the process proceeds to step S328, where all products (services) in the categories corresponding to the "Select All Categories" checkbox are registered in the product list.

[0200] Figures 21 to 23 are screens illustrating the operation when selecting all products (services) within a category.

[0201] [Select all categories] In the screen shown in Figure 7, when the user clicks the "Select All Categories" checkbox, all products in the selected category "25," from "Clothing" to "Gaiters" and other products not shown, are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 21.

[0202] [Select all categories when expanding to the first level] In the expanded hierarchical structure of the product "Clothing" (Figure 9), when the user clicks the "Select All Categories" checkbox, all products in the selected category "25," from "Clothing" to "Gaiters" and other products not shown (including all products belonging to lower levels of the "Clothing" category), are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 22.

[0203] [Select all categories when expanding to the second level] In the expanded hierarchical structure of the products "Clothing" and "Clothing" (Figure 10), when the user clicks the "Select All Categories" checkbox, all products from the selected category "25" ("Clothing" to "Gaiters" and other products not shown) (including all products belonging to lower levels of the "Clothing" category and lower levels of the "Clothing" category) are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 23.

[0204] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S326 that the "Select All Categories" checkbox is not checked (NO), the process proceeds to step S330, where all products (services) in the categories corresponding to the "Select All Categories" checkbox are removed from the product list.

[0205] [Deselect all categories] In the screen shown in Figure 21, when the user unchecks a category, all items in the unselected category "25," from "Clothing" to "Gaiters" and other items not shown, are removed from the product list 520, as shown in Figure 7.

[0206] [Deselect all categories when expanding to the first level] In the screen shown in Figure 22, when the user unchecks a category, all products in the unselected category "25," from "Clothing" to "Gaiters" and other unshown products (including all products belonging to lower levels of the "Clothing" category), are removed from product list 520, as shown in Figure 9.

[0207] [Deselect all categories when expanding to the second level] In the screen shown in Figure 23, when the user unchecks a category, all items in the unselected category "25," from "Clothing" to "Gaiters" and other items not shown (including all items belonging to lower levels of the "Clothing" category and lower levels of the "Clothing" category), are removed from the item list 520, as shown in Figure 10.

[0208] Once steps S328 and S330 are completed, the process proceeds to step S332. In step S332, it is determined whether the name of the product (service) was clicked by the user. If it is determined that the name of the product (service) was clicked (YES), the process proceeds to step S334.

[0209] In step S334, product information for the clicked product (service) is retrieved from the product information table 400. Additionally, product information for related groups to which the clicked product (service) belongs is retrieved from the product information table 400. Related groups are identified by referencing the group ID of the related group corresponding to the group ID of the clicked product (service) from the related group information table 430. Product information for related groups can be retrieved, for example, as follows: (1) The group ID of the clicked product (service) is retrieved from the product information table 400, the group ID of the related group corresponding to the retrieved group ID is retrieved from the related group information table 430, and product information corresponding to the retrieved group ID is retrieved from the product information table 400. (2) The product information table 400 and the related group information table 430 are joined, and product information for the related group corresponding to the clicked product (service) is retrieved from the joined table.

[0210] Next, the process moves to step S336, where, based on the product information and product list information obtained in step S334, the products (services) for each related group are displayed on the display device 44. Each product (service) is provided with a product selection checkbox. When the product (service) is displayed, the product selection checkbox is set to checked if that product (service) is registered in the product list. The same applies to the group all selection checkbox.

[0211] Figure 24 is a screen illustrating the operation when displaying products (services) of related groups.

[0212] In the screen shown in Figure 7, when a user clicks on the name of the product "Clothing" (522), a pop-up window appears as shown in Figure 24. The pop-up window displays the clicked product "Clothing." Below it, related groups to which the product "Clothing" belongs are displayed, showing the products (services) belonging to each group. Products (services) belonging to the same group are enclosed by borders or other means, and the group is displayed in a way that makes it easy to identify.

[0213] The top group includes the product "footwear." The product "clothing" belongs to category "25" and is assigned two similar group codes "22A01 22A03."

[0214] The second group from the top includes the products "garter" to "belt". The products "garter" to "belt" belong to category "25" and are each assigned the similarity group code "21A01".

[0215] The third group from the top includes the product "costume clothing." The product "costume clothing" belongs to category "25" and is assigned the similarity group code "24A03."

[0216] In the example in Figure 24, the classification of all related groups is "25," but depending on the relationships between the groups, groups with classifications different from the classification of the clicked product (service) may also be displayed. Therefore, unlike the screen in Figure 7, the classification is displayed for each product (service) in the screen in Figure 24.

[0217] Users can select a product (or service) by checking the product selection checkbox. The product selection checkbox is checked when the pop-up window is opened if the product (or service) is registered in the product list.

[0218] A "Select All" checkbox is located in the upper left corner of each group. By checking this checkbox, users can select all products (services) belonging to that group. The "Select All" checkbox is checked by default when the pop-up window is opened if all products (services) belonging to that group are registered in the product list.

[0219] The operations for expanding and collapsing the hierarchical structure, selecting products (services), deselecting products (services), selecting all groups, and deselecting all groups are the same as those in steps S300 to S322 and Figures 9 to 20.

[0220] The user closes the pop-up window after completing their selection of products (services). Closing the pop-up window returns the user to the original screen (for example, the screen shown in Figure 7). If a product (service) was selected in the pop-up window, the selected product (service) is registered in the product list on the original screen. Similarly, if a product (service) is deselected in the pop-up window, the deselected product (service) is removed from the product list on the original screen.

[0221] Once the processing in step S336 is complete, the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S332 that the name of the product (service) is not clicked (NO), the series of processes is terminated.

[0222] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S324 that the "Select All" checkbox was not clicked (NO), the process proceeds to step S332.

[0223] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S316 that the "Select All" checkbox is not clicked (NO), the process proceeds to step S324.

[0224] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the product selection checkbox was not clicked (NO), the process proceeds to step S316.

[0225] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S304 that the collapse icon was not clicked (NO), the process proceeds to step S308.

[0226] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S300 that the expand icon was not clicked (NO), the process proceeds to step S304.

[0227] [Second product selection process] Next, we will explain the case where you select a product (service) using the functions related to the second product selection process.

[0228] Figure 25 is a flowchart showing the second product selection process. The CPU 30 starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32 and executes the second product selection process shown in the flowchart of Figure 25 according to that program. When the second product selection process is executed in step S102, the process first proceeds to step S400, as shown in Figure 25.

[0229] In step S400, it is determined whether the user clicked the search button. If it is determined that the search button was clicked (YES), the process proceeds to step S402 to retrieve the search query entered in the search box. The search query consists of a string consisting of a single search key, or a string in which multiple search keys are concatenated and separated by delimiters such as spaces.

[0230] Next, the process moves to step S404, where categories are extracted from the search query obtained in step S402. Since categories consist of one- or two-digit numbers, the search keys separated by delimiters in the search query that consist of one- or two-digit numbers (hereinafter referred to as "category-matching search keys") are extracted as categories.

[0231] Next, the process moves to step S406, where similarity group codes are extracted from the search query obtained in step S402. Since similarity group codes consist of a two-digit number, a single letter, and a two-digit number, the search keys separated by delimiters in the search query that consist of a two-digit number, a single letter, and a two-digit number (hereinafter referred to as "similarity group matching search keys") are extracted as similarity group codes.

[0232] Next, we proceed to step S408, where we extract products (services) (more precisely, keywords that we want to partially match with the products (services) to be searched) from the search query obtained in step S402. Since products (services) are search keys that do not belong to either the category or the similarity group code, we extract the search keys that are separated by delimiters in the search query, excluding the category-matching search keys and the similarity group-matching search keys, as products (services).

[0233] Next, the process moves to step S410 to obtain a search method, such as whether to perform an AND search or an OR search. Then, it moves to step S412 to obtain product information from the product information table 400 that corresponds to the products (services), categories, and similar group codes extracted in steps S404 to S408, according to the obtained search method.

[0234] When using an AND search method, product information matching all search keys will be retrieved. Matching will be performed using partial matching. For example, if the product "clothing" and category "25" are given as search keys, product information for products (services) that are in category "25" and contain the word "clothing" will be retrieved.

[0235] When using an OR search method, product information matching either of the search keys will be retrieved. Matching is performed using partial matching. For example, if the product "clothing" and category "25" are given as search keys, product information for products with category "25" or products (services) containing the word "clothing" will be retrieved.

[0236] Next, the process moves to step S414, where the products (services) are displayed on the display device 44 based on the product information obtained in step S412. The products (services) are displayed in ascending order of category, and then in ascending order of similarity group code. Each product (service) is provided with a product selection checkbox. The product selection checkbox is set to a checked state when the product (service) is displayed if that product (service) is registered in the product list. The same applies to the checkbox for selecting all products (services) in the product list (hereinafter referred to as the "select all in list checkbox").

[0237] [Search Key: Goods (Services)] The operation when a product (service) is given as a search key is the same as the technology described in Patent Document 4. When the user enters the text of the product (service) into the search box and clicks the search button, products (services) containing the entered text of the product (service) are displayed.

[0238] [Search Key: Category] The operation when a category is given as a search key is the same as the technology described in Patent Document 4. When the user enters a category into the search box and clicks the search button, the products (services) of the entered category are displayed.

[0239] [Search Key: Similar Group Code] The operation when a similar group code is provided as a search key is the same as the technology described in Patent Document 4. When the user enters a similar group code into the search box and clicks the search button, the products (services) corresponding to the entered similar group code are displayed.

[0240] [Search Key: Product (Service) + Category] Figures 26 to 29 are screens illustrating the operation when searching for products (services).

[0241] In the screen shown in Figure 26, the user sets the search method to "AND" 524, enters the product "clothing" and category "25" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530. As shown in Figure 26, the product list area 508 displays products (services) that are in category "25" and contain the word "clothing".

[0242] At the top of the product list area 508, there is a checkbox 532 (select all items in the list checkbox). By checking the select all items checkbox, the user can select all items (services) in the product list area 508.

[0243] The operations for selecting goods (services), deselecting goods (services), selecting all goods (services), and deselecting all goods (services) are the same as those in steps S308-S314 and S324-S330, and as shown in Figures 11 and 21.

[0244] Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 26, the user sets the search method to "OR" 526, enters the product "clothing" and category "25" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530. In the product list area 508, products (services) that have category "25" or contain the word "clothing" are displayed.

[0245] When a user performs the above search, it only requires two actions: (1) entering the product (service) and category into the search box 528, and (2) clicking the search button 530.

[0246] [Search Key: Product (Service) + Similar Group Code] In the screen shown in Figure 27, the user sets the search method to "AND" 524, enters the product "clothing" and the similar group code "17A01" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530. As shown in Figure 27, the product list area 508 displays products (services) that contain the similar group code "17A01" and the word "clothing".

[0247] Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 27, if the user sets the search method to "OR" 526, enters the product "clothing" and the similar group code "17A01" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530, the product list area 508 will display products (services) that contain the similar group code "17A01" or products (services) that contain the word "clothing".

[0248] When a user performs the above search, it only requires two actions: (1) entering the product (service) and similar group code into the search box 528, and (2) clicking the search button 530.

[0249] [Search Key: Category + Similar Group Code] In the screen shown in Figure 28, the user sets the search method to "AND" 524, enters the category "25" and the similar group code "17A01" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530. As shown in Figure 28, the product list area 508 displays products that belong to category "25" and also contain the similar group code "17A01".

[0250] Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 28, if the user sets the search method to "OR" 526, enters the product "25" and the similar group code "17A01" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530, the product list area 508 will display products that are in category "25" or contain the similar group code "17A01".

[0251] When a user performs the above search, it only requires two actions: (1) entering the category and similar group code into the search box 528, and (2) clicking the search button 530.

[0252] [Search Key: Product (Service) + Category + Similar Group Code] On the screen of FIG. 29, when the user sets "AND" 524 as the search method, enters the product "clothing", category "25", and similar group code "17A01" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530, as shown in FIG. 29, in the product list area 508, products (services) that are products of category "25", include the similar group code "17A01", and contain the character "clothing" are displayed.

[0253] Also, on the screen of FIG. 29, when the user sets "OR" 526 as the search method, enters the product "clothing", category "25", and similar group code "17A01" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530, in the product list area 508, products (services) that are products of category "25", include the similar group code "17A01", or contain the character "clothing" are displayed.

[0254] When the user performs the above search, it only takes two actions: (1) enter the product (service), category, and similar group code into the search box 528, and (2) click the search button 530.

[0255] When the process of step S414 ends, the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S400 that the search button is not clicked (NO), the series of processes ends.

[0256] 〔Third Product Selection Process〕 Next, the third product selection process will be described. As the third product selection process, the technology of Patent Document 3 (paragraphs

[0064] to

[0077] ,

[0090] to

[0097] of the same document) is adopted. However, the following changes are made to the process of step S106 and other processes in the same document.

[0257] In step S106, products (services) are displayed based on the information in the product list. Each product (service) has a product selection checkbox. The product selection checkbox is checked when the product (service) is displayed if that product (service) is registered in the product list. In addition, a "Select All" checkbox is provided at the top of the product list area. The "Select All" checkbox is checked when the products (services) are displayed if all products (services) in the product list are registered in the product list.

[0258] The operations for selecting goods (services), deselecting goods (services), selecting all goods (services), and deselecting all goods (services) are the same as those in steps S308-S314 and S324-S330, and as shown in Figures 11 and 21.

[0259] [Product selection using multiple functions] Next, we will explain how to select products (services) from multiple perspectives using the functions related to the first to third product selection processes.

[0260] First, the user selects a function related to the first product selection process from the menu. In the screen shown in Figure 7, when the user clicks the product selection checkbox for the product "Clothing," the selected product "Clothing" is registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 11.

[0261] Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the product "clothing" is expanded (similar to the expanded state in Figure 9), and the user clicks the product selection checkboxes for the products "clothing" and "coats," the selected products "clothing" and "coats" are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 12.

[0262] Furthermore, when the hierarchical structure of the product "clothing" is expanded (similar to the expanded state in Figure 10), and the user clicks the product selection checkboxes for the products "evening dress" and "school uniform," the selected products "evening dress" and "school uniform" are registered in product list 520, as shown in Figure 13.

[0263] Figure 30 is a screen illustrating the operation when selecting a product (service) using the functions related to the second product selection process.

[0264] Next, the user selects a function related to the second product selection process from the menu. In the screen shown in Figure 30, the user sets the search method to "AND" 524, enters the product "dress" and category "25" into the search box 528, and clicks the search button 530. As shown in Figure 30, the product list area 508 displays products (services) that are in category "25" and contain the word "dress". In the product list area 508, the product "evening dress" is already registered in the product list 520, so its product selection checkbox is checked when the search results are displayed. In the screen shown in Figure 30, when the user clicks the product selection checkboxes for the products "morning dress" and "lounge dress", the selected products "morning dress" and "lounge dress" are registered in the product list 520.

[0265] Figure 31 is a screen illustrating the operation when selecting a product (service) using the functions related to the third product selection process.

[0266] Next, the user selects a function related to the third product selection process from the menu. In the screen shown in Figure 31, when the user enters the product "clothing" into the search box 528 and clicks the search button 530, products (services) related to the product "clothing" are displayed in the product list area 508, as shown in Figure 31. In the product list area 508, since the product "clothing" is already registered in the product list 520, its product selection checkbox is checked when the search results are displayed. In the screen shown in Figure 31, when the user clicks the product selection checkboxes for the products "belt," "footwear," "band," "suspenders," and "garters," the selected products "belt," "footwear," "band," "suspenders," and "garters" are registered in the product list 520.

[0267] In this way, the user can select products (services) in a multi-faceted manner by using the functions related to the first to third product selection processes.

[0268] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, products (services) are hierarchically displayed based on product information regarding a plurality of hierarchically structured products (services).

[0269] Thereby, products (services) can be selected in consideration of the hierarchical relationship. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the product (service) is displayed such that the hierarchical structure of the product (service) can be expanded and collapsed. In the state where the hierarchical structure is collapsed, products (services) belonging to a higher or same-level hierarchy can be selected, and in the state where the hierarchical structure is expanded, products (services) belonging to a higher or same-level hierarchy and the expanded lower-level hierarchy can be selected.

[0270] Thereby, the hierarchical structure can be expanded or collapsed, and products (services) can be selected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, product information corresponding to the category selected by the user is acquired from the product information table 400, and products (services) are hierarchically displayed based on the acquired product information.

[0271] Thereby, products (services) corresponding to the category can be selected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the product information includes group information regarding a group in which products (services) belonging to the same category and having a common similar group code are grouped, and products (services) are displayed for each group based on the product information.

[0272] Thereby, products (services) can be selected in units of groups belonging to the same category and having a common similar group code.

[0273] Furthermore, in this embodiment, among the displayed product list, all products (services) belonging to the selected group are registered in the product list.

[0274] This allows you to register all products (services) belonging to the selected group to the product list all at once.

[0275] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the hierarchical structure is folded, all products (services) belonging to the selected group from among the products (services) belonging to the higher or same level of the hierarchy are registered in the product list, and when the hierarchical structure is expanded, all products (services) belonging to the selected group from among the products (services) belonging to the higher or same level of the hierarchy and the expanded lower level are registered in the product list.

[0276] This allows you to expand or collapse the hierarchical structure and register all products (services) belonging to the selected group to the product list all at once.

[0277] Furthermore, in this embodiment, all products (services) in the selected category are registered in the product list.

[0278] This allows you to register all products (services) in the selected category to the product list all at once.

[0279] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the hierarchical structure is folded, all products (services) belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level than the selected category are registered in the product list, and when the hierarchical structure is expanded, all products (services) belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level than the selected category and to the expanded lower hierarchical level are registered in the product list.

[0280] This allows you to expand or collapse the hierarchical structure and register all products (services) in the selected category to the product list at once.

[0281] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the related group information table 430 is referenced to obtain product information relating to products (services) belonging to the related group, and products (services) are displayed for each group based on the obtained product information.

[0282] This allows for the selection of goods (services) on a group basis for related groups.

[0283] Furthermore, in this embodiment, products (services) are displayed for each group based on product information relating to related groups, which are groups of products (services) that belong to the same category and have a common similar group code.

[0284] This allows for the selection of goods (services) within related groups based on groups that belong to the same category and share a common similarity group code.

[0285] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the goods (services) are displayed in a manner that allows for group identification. This makes it possible to determine which group a product (or service) belongs to.

[0286] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to select a product (service) for each product (service). This allows you to select products (services) individually rather than as a group.

[0287] Furthermore, in this embodiment, duplicate goods (services) are eliminated and the goods (services) are registered in the goods list.

[0288] This reduces the possibility of duplicating goods (services) in trademark registration applications and other documents.

[0289] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in steps S204, S336, S414 and step S106 related to the third product selection process, if the relevant product (service) is registered in the product list based on the information in the common product list, the corresponding product selection check box is set to checked when displaying the product (service).

[0290] This allows you to select products (services) from the display results obtained by the other functions, taking into account the products (services) obtained by one of the functions related to the first to third product selection process. For example, you can see which products (services) have already been selected and which have not yet been selected.

[0291] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in steps S204 and S336, if all products (services) belonging to the relevant group are registered in the product list based on the information in the common product list, when displaying the products (services), the corresponding group selection check box and the product selection check box corresponding to these products (services) are set to checked state.

[0292] This allows you to select products (services) from the display results obtained by the other functions, taking into account the products (services) obtained by one of the functions related to the first to third product selection process. For example, you can understand which groups have been selected and which groups have not yet been selected.

[0293] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in step S204, if all products (services) in the relevant category are registered in the product list based on the information in the common product list, when displaying the products (services), the corresponding category selection check box and the product selection check box corresponding to these products (services) are set to checked state.

[0294] This allows you to select products (services) from the display results obtained by the other functions, taking into account the products (services) obtained by one of the functions related to the first to third product selection process. For example, you can understand which categories have been selected and which categories have not yet been selected.

[0295] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in step S414 and step S106 related to the third product selection process, if the products (services) in the product list are registered in the product list based on the information in the common product list, the "Select All" checkbox and the product selection checkbox corresponding to these products (services) are set to checked when displaying the products (services).

[0296] This allows you to select products (services) from the display results obtained by the other functions, taking into account the products (services) obtained by one of the functions related to the first to third product selection process.

[0297] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pop-up window in Figure 24, based on the information in the common product list, sets the corresponding product selection checkbox to checked when displaying the product (service) if the product (service) is registered in the product list.

[0298] This allows you to select a product (service) from the display results obtained by the function related to the processing in step S336, taking into consideration the product (service) obtained by one of the functions related to the first to third product selection processing.

[0299] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the pop-up window shown in Figure 24, if all products (services) belonging to a group are registered in the product list based on the information in the common product list, when displaying the products (services), the corresponding group selection checkbox and the product selection checkbox corresponding to these products (services) are set to checked state.

[0300] This allows you to select a product (service) from the display results obtained by the function related to the processing in step S336, taking into consideration the product (service) obtained by one of the functions related to the first to third product selection processing.

[0301] Furthermore, in this embodiment, products (services) and categories are extracted from a search query in which multiple search keys are linked, and product information corresponding to the extracted products (services) and categories is obtained from the product information table 400.

[0302] This allows you to obtain product information by providing a search query that includes the product (service) and category.

[0303] Furthermore, in this embodiment, products (services) and similar group codes are extracted from a search query in which multiple search keys are linked, and product information corresponding to the extracted products (services) and similar group codes is obtained from the product information table 400.

[0304] This allows you to obtain product information by providing a search query that includes product (service) and similar group codes.

[0305] Furthermore, in this embodiment, category and similar group codes are extracted from a search query in which multiple search keys are linked, and product information corresponding to the extracted category and similar group codes is obtained from the product information table 400.

[0306] This allows you to obtain product information corresponding to a given search query that includes category and similarity group codes.

[0307] Furthermore, in this embodiment, products (services), categories, and similar group codes are extracted from a search query in which multiple search keys are linked, and product information corresponding to the extracted products (services), categories, and similar group codes is obtained from the product information table 400.

[0308] This allows you to obtain product information corresponding to a search query that includes the product (service), category, and similar group code.

[0309] In this embodiment, step S200 corresponds to the classification information acquisition means of Invention 4, step S202 corresponds to the product information acquisition means of Invention 4, steps S204, S302, S306, and S336 correspond to the output means of Inventions 1 to 11, and steps S312, S320, and S328 correspond to the registration means of Inventions 6 to 9. Furthermore, step S334 corresponds to the second product information acquisition means of Invention 10, and the storage device 42 corresponds to the storage means of Invention 4 or 10.

[0310] In this embodiment, step S200 corresponds to the classification information acquisition means of Invention 13, step S202 corresponds to the product information acquisition means of Invention 13, step S204 corresponds to the output means of Invention 12 or 13, and the storage device 42 corresponds to the storage means of Invention 13.

[0311] In this embodiment, step S334 corresponds to the product information acquisition means of invention 14, step S336 corresponds to the output means of invention 14 or 15, and the storage device 42 corresponds to the storage means of invention 14.

[0312] In this embodiment, step S204 corresponds to the first output means of invention 16 or 17, steps S312, S320, and S328 correspond to the first registration means of invention 16, step S414 corresponds to the second output means of invention 16, and steps S312, S320, and S328 related to the second product selection process correspond to the second registration means of invention 16.

[0313] In this embodiment, steps S404 to S408 correspond to the extraction means of inventions 18 to 21, step S412 corresponds to the acquisition means of inventions 18 to 21, and the storage device 42 corresponds to the storage means of inventions 18 to 21.

[0314] [Variation] In the above embodiments and their modifications, the hierarchy was based on the conceptual relationship of goods (services). However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the hierarchy can be based on: (1) the relationship between goods (services) related to Organization A (e.g., goods (services) related to Organization A's trademark registration cases) and goods (services) related to Organization B (e.g., a subsidiary) belonging to Organization A (e.g., goods (services) related to Organization B's trademark registration cases); or (2) the relationship between goods (services) related to cases, businesses, plans, projects, promotions, and other units (hereinafter referred to as "cases, etc.") A and goods (services) related to cases, etc. B belonging to Cases, etc. A. The definition of the hierarchy can be arbitrary.

[0315] Furthermore, while the above embodiment and its modified examples employ a three-layer hierarchical structure, the system is not limited to this; a two-layer hierarchical structure or a hierarchical structure with four or more layers can also be employed. A configuration without any layers can also be adopted. The hierarchical structure and its presence or absence can be arbitrarily determined.

[0316] Furthermore, while a tree structure was adopted as a way to display products (services) hierarchically in the above embodiment and its modifications, the system is not limited to this. Any hierarchical display method can be adopted, such as facet classification, tag cloud, breadcrumb list, carousel, map, accordion menu, mega menu, step format that expands the hierarchy through questions, or other methods.

[0317] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and their modifications, the hierarchical structure of goods (services) is displayed in a way that allows for both expansion and collapse. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the goods (services) can be displayed only in a way that allows for expansion of the hierarchical structure. In this case, the hierarchical structure of goods (services) is initially in a collapsed state, and can be expanded from that state, but cannot be collapsed. Alternatively, the goods (services) can be displayed only in a way that allows for collapse of the hierarchical structure. In this case, the hierarchical structure of goods (services) is initially in an expanded state, and can be collapsed from that state, but cannot be expanded.

[0318] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, in step S332, product information of the clicked product (service) is obtained from the product information table 400. However, it is not limited to this, and product information of all products (services) belonging to the group to which the clicked product (service) belongs can also be obtained. In this case, products (services) can be displayed for each group for the group to which the clicked product (service) belongs and its related groups.

[0319] Furthermore, although the above embodiments and their modifications did not explain the criteria for associating related groups with a given group, for example, a predetermined number of related groups can be associated with a given group in descending order of relevance or its statistical value, or related groups can be associated with a given relevance or its statistical value.

[0320] Furthermore, although field 408 is provided in the above embodiment and its modified form, the system is not limited to this and can be configured without field 408. For example, in the second level, products (services) can be displayed in ascending or descending order of product ID.

[0321] Furthermore, although field 410 is provided in the above embodiment and its modified form, the system is not limited to this and can be configured without field 410. For example, in the third level, products (services) can be displayed in ascending or descending order of product ID.

[0322] Furthermore, although field 412 is provided in the above embodiment and its modified form, the system is not limited to this and can be configured without field 412. For example, the hierarchy can be identified by the product ID of the product (service) and the product ID of the higher-level product (service), or by No. 1 and No. 2.

[0323] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, the degree of relevance is set in field 436, but the invention is not limited to this; if the rank is determined by the degree of relevance, that rank can be set in field 436.

[0324] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, the related group information table 430 associates groups with related groups, but it is not limited to this. It is also possible to associate goods (services) belonging to groups with related groups, associate goods (services) belonging to groups with related groups, or associate goods (services) belonging to groups with goods (services) belonging to related groups.

[0325] Furthermore, while the above embodiments and their modifications employ product information including the product (service), category, and similar group code, the system is not limited to this and can employ product information relating to the product (service) or the group to which it belongs (for example, category or similar group code). For example, (1) product information relating to the product (service), (2) product information relating to the category, (3) product information relating to the similar group code, (4) product information relating to the product (service) and category, (5) product information relating to the product (service) and similar group code, or (6) product information relating to the category and similar group code can be employed. This modification is applicable not only to product information registered in tables or product lists, but also to product information that is displayed.

[0326] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and their modified examples, trademark registration was targeted as the trademark registration case, but the invention is not limited to this, and trademark registration cases can include (1) trademark registration applications, (2) trademark registration applications and trademark registrations, (3) defensive mark registration applications, (4) defensive mark registrations, (5) defensive mark registration applications and defensive mark registrations, or (6) combinations of trademark registration applications or trademark registrations and defensive mark registration applications or defensive mark registrations. Regarding (6), it is envisioned that trademark registrations may be changed to defensive mark registrations or defensive mark registrations may be changed to trademark registrations depending on the level of notoriety, etc.

[0327] Furthermore, while the above embodiment and its modified versions are equipped with first to third product selection processes, the system is not limited to this. Configurations can be adopted that include one of the first to third product selection processes, two of the first to third product selection processes, or other product selection processes.

[0328] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and their modifications, the first to third product selection processes displayed products (services) using different algorithms. However, the system is not limited to this; it is sufficient to use functions related to multiple product selection processes, etc., to maintain a common product list for products (services). The algorithms for the multiple product selection processes, etc., may be the same or different. Each algorithm can be adopted arbitrarily.

[0329] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modifications, the checked state of product selection checkboxes, etc., is set based on the information in the product list. However, the system is not limited to this, and any configuration can be adopted as long as it displays products (services) based on the information in the product list. For example, the following configuration can be adopted.

[0330] The first configuration displays products (services) in a specific manner based on the information in the product list. For example, it displays products (services) registered in the product list in a specific manner. Displaying in a specific manner includes, for example, adding underlines, bolding, italics, boxes, or other decorations; adding specific colors (e.g., red or gray) to text or backgrounds; displaying in a specific font or font size; adding annotations, icons, links, or other elements, or displaying in a manner different from other products (services).

[0331] The second configuration determines whether or not to display a product (service) based on the information in the product list. For example, products (services) that are registered in the product list among the products (services) that are to be displayed will not be displayed.

[0332] The third component determines whether a product (service) can be selected based on the information in the product list. For example, products (services) that are already registered in the product list among those to be displayed may be made unavailable for selection.

[0333] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modifications, steps S204, S336, S414 and step S106 related to the third product selection process display products (services) based on information from the product list. However, the system is not limited to this, and a configuration can be adopted in which products (services) are displayed without using information from the product list. That is, the product selection checkbox is set to an unchecked state or unchecked state when displaying a product (service), regardless of whether the product (service) is registered in the product list or not.

[0334] Furthermore, although the popup window in Figure 24 does not have a "Select All" checkbox in the above embodiment and its modified form, it is not limited to this and can also have a "Select All" checkbox. In this case, the "Select All" checkbox is set to a checked state when displaying products (services) if all products (services) in the product list are registered in the product list.

[0335] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, the function related to the second product selection process employs a configuration that allows searching using any combination of product (service), category, and similar group code. However, it is not limited to this, and the following configurations can also be adopted.

[0336] The first configuration allows searching using any combination of goods (services) and categories.

[0337] The second configuration allows searching using any combination of product (service) and similar group codes.

[0338] The third configuration allows searching using any combination of category and similarity group codes.

[0339] The fourth configuration allows searching using any combination of goods (services), class or similar group code and one or more other filtering conditions (filtering conditions other than class and similar group code). Other filtering conditions include, for example, (1) application number, (2) application date, (3) registration number, (4) registration date, (5) international registration number, (6) international registration date (subsequently designated date), (7) renewal registration application number, (8) renewal registration application date, (9) trademark for search, (10) trademark pronunciation, (11) information on the applicant, right holder, renewal applicant or owner (name or company name, address or residence, identification number, and, if the applicant is a corporation, corporate information (e.g., industry, date of establishment, whether or not it is publicly listed, capital, sales, profit, number of employees). The same applies below.)), (12) Information about the agent (name or title, address or residence, identification number, corporate information if the agent is a corporation), (13) Information about the appellant or petitioner (name or title, address or residence, identification number, corporate information if the appellant is a corporation), (14) Legal classification (version) or category, (15) Publication date, (16) Announcement number, (17) Announcement date, (18) Registration gazette publication date, (19) Expiration date, (20) Trial number, (21) Dismissal date of the rejection decision, (22) Final disposition date. Furthermore, when combining with goods (services), it is desirable that the refinement conditions are strings that cannot constitute the goods (services) themselves (for example, dates or numbers) in order to obtain those refinement conditions from the search query.

[0340] The fifth configuration allows searching only by goods (services). The sixth configuration allows searching by category only.

[0341] The seventh configuration allows searching using only similarity group codes. The eighth configuration is one that allows searching using one or more combinations of other filtering conditions.

[0342] The ninth configuration allows searching using only other filtering criteria. Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, step S406 extracts similar group codes from the search query obtained in step S402. However, the method is not limited to this; in step S404, the categories can be removed from the search query, and similar group codes can be extracted from the search query from which the categories have been removed. This makes it possible to extract similar group codes without confusing them with the search key corresponding to the categories.

[0343] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, in step S408, products (services) are extracted from the search query obtained in step S402. However, the method is not limited to this; in steps S404 and S406, the classification and similar group codes can be removed from the search query, and products (services) can be extracted from the search query excluding the classification and similar group codes. In this case, the search query can be split into one or more strings using the delimiter as a separator, and the split strings can be obtained as products (services). This makes it possible to extract products (services) without confusion with the classification matching search key and the similar group matching search key.

[0344] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, steps S404 to S408 extract categories, similar group codes, or products (services) from the search query obtained in step S402. However, the system is not limited to this; the search query can be split into one or more strings using a delimiter, and categories, similar group codes, or products (services) can be obtained from the split strings. Sequential processing can be performed in this configuration. In this case, categories are obtained from the split strings (original strings), similar group codes are obtained from the strings excluding categories from the original strings, and the remaining string is obtained as the product (service). This makes it possible to extract similar group codes without confusion with category matching search keys, and to extract products (services) without confusion with category matching search keys and similar group matching search keys. In addition, by adopting an order in which products (services) are extracted after the extraction of categories and similar group codes, products (services) can be easily extracted. Other arbitrary extraction methods can also be adopted.

[0345] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, steps S404 to S408 extract data from the search query in the order of category, similar group code, and product (service), but the data is not limited to this order and can be extracted in any order.

[0346] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified form, step S412 performed a partial match to determine whether the search key was applicable, but the search key is not limited to this, and can also be determined by an exact match.

[0347] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified forms, product information was obtained from a table, but this is not limited to this. For example, it can be input from the input device 40, or obtained from an external storage medium (such as a USB memory stick) or a network.

[0348] Furthermore, while the above embodiment and its modified examples are implemented as a single device, the trademark support device 100, the system is not limited to this, and can also be implemented as a network system, as shown in Figure 32.

[0349] Figure 32 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network system. As shown in Figure 32, a trademark support server 200 and multiple user terminals 300 are connected to a network 199 such as the Internet. The trademark support server 200 is configured to have the same functions as the trademark support device 100 in the above embodiment and its modified form. The differences are that it receives information from the user terminals 300 instead of receiving input from the input device 40, and it transmits information to the user terminals 300 instead of displaying it on the display device 44.

[0350] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modifications, the storage device 42 is installed in the trademark support device 100 or the trademark support server 200, but it is not limited to these, and can be installed in another database terminal that is communicatively connected to the trademark support device 100 or the trademark support server 200. In this case, the database terminal reads the information related to the request from the storage device 42 in response to a request from the trademark support device 100 or the trademark support server 200 and transmits it to the requesting terminal.

[0351] Furthermore, in this modified configuration, any of the tables 400, 430, and product list 520 can be installed on the database terminal, while the remaining tables 400, 430, and product list 520 can be installed on the trademark support device 100 or trademark support server 200.

[0352] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and their modifications, the process shown in the flowcharts of Figures 4, 5, 8, and 25 was described in the case of executing a program pre-stored in ROM 32. However, the invention is not limited to this, and a program describing these procedures may be read into RAM 34 from a storage medium in which the program is stored and then executed.

[0353] Here, "storage medium" refers to any storage medium that can be read by a computer, regardless of whether it is an electronic, magnetic, or optical reading medium, including semiconductor storage mediums such as RAM and ROM, magnetic storage mediums such as FD and HD, optical reading mediums such as CD, CDV, LD, and DVD, and magnetic / optical reading mediums such as MO.

[0354] Furthermore, the above embodiments and their modified forms (including their respective constituent technologies) are mutually applicable.

[0355] Furthermore, while the above embodiments and their modifications were applied to cases such as selecting goods (services) related to trademark registration applications, the present invention is not limited to these cases and can be applied to other cases without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0356] 100…Trademark support device, 30…CPU, 32…ROM, 34…RAM, 38…I / F, 39…Bus, 40…Input device, 42…Storage device, 44…Display device, 199…Network, 200…Trademark support server, 300…User terminal, 400…Product information table, 430…Related group information table, 500…Category list, 502…Area, 504…Button, 506…Category, 508…Product list area, 510, 512, 514, 532…Checkbox, 516…Expand icon, 518…Collapse icon, 520…Product list, 522…Product (service) name, 524…AND, 526…OR, 528…Search box, 530…Search button

Claims

1. A trademark support system characterized by having output means that outputs information about goods or services in a hierarchical manner based on product information relating to multiple hierarchically structured goods or services.

2. In claim 1, The trademark support system is characterized in that the output means outputs information about goods or services in a way that allows for the expansion or collapse of the hierarchical structure of goods or services.

3. In claim 1, The output means outputs information about goods or services in a way that allows for the expansion and collapse of the hierarchical structure of goods or services. A trademark support system characterized in that, when the hierarchical structure is folded, information on goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level can be selected, and when the hierarchical structure is expanded, information on goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level and an expanded lower hierarchical level can be selected.

4. In claim 1, A means for acquiring classification information relating to the classification of goods or services, The system includes a storage means for storing product information relating to multiple hierarchically structured products or services in association with classification information relating to the classification, and a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information corresponding to the classification information acquired by the classification information acquisition means. The trademark support system is characterized in that the output means outputs information about goods or services hierarchically based on the goods information acquired by the goods information acquisition means.

5. In claim 4, The aforementioned product information is a group formed by grouping products or services that belong to the same category and share a common similar group code, and includes group information relating to the group to which the product or service pertains to the product information belongs. The trademark support system is characterized in that the output means outputs information about goods or services in units of the group.

6. In claim 5, A trademark support system characterized by comprising a registration means for registering information on all goods or services belonging to a selected group from the output results of the output means into a goods list.

7. In claim 5, The output means outputs information about goods or services in a way that allows for the expansion and collapse of the hierarchical structure of goods or services. A trademark support system characterized by comprising registration means that, when the hierarchical structure is folded, registers information on all goods or services belonging to a selected group from among the information on goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level in the goods list, and when the hierarchical structure is expanded, registers information on all goods or services belonging to a selected group from among the information on goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level and an expanded lower hierarchical level in the goods list.

8. In claim 4, A trademark support system characterized by comprising a registration means for registering information relating to all goods or services from the output results of the output means into a goods list.

9. In claim 4, The output means outputs information about goods or services in a way that allows for the expansion and collapse of the hierarchical structure of goods or services. A trademark support system characterized by comprising registration means for registering information on all goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level in a product list when the hierarchical structure is folded, and for registering information on all goods or services belonging to a higher or equivalent hierarchical level and an expanded lower hierarchical level in the product list when the hierarchical structure is expanded.

10. In claim 4, The system includes a second product information acquisition means that references a storage means that stores group information for one of a group of goods or services, in association with group information for other groups related to that group, and acquires goods or services belonging to the other groups and product information related to that group. The trademark support system is characterized in that the output means outputs information relating to goods or services in units of the group, based on the product information acquired by the second product information acquisition means.

11. In claim 5, The trademark support system is characterized in that the output means outputs information relating to goods or services on a group basis, based on product information relating to one of the groups, other groups related to the group, and the goods or services belonging to the group.

12. A trademark support system characterized by comprising a group formed by grouping goods or services belonging to the same category and having a common similarity group code, and an output means that outputs information about goods or services on a group basis, based on the goods or services belonging to the group.

13. In claim 12, A means for acquiring classification information related to the aforementioned classification, The system includes a storage means that stores product information relating to the product or service and the group, in association with classification information relating to the classification, for products or services that belong to the same classification and have a common similar group code, and a product information acquisition means that acquires the product information corresponding to the classification information acquired by the classification information acquisition means. The trademark support system is characterized in that the output means outputs information relating to goods or services in units of the group, based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition means.

14. A product information acquisition means that references a storage means that stores group information for one group of goods or services in association with group information for other groups related to that group, and acquires goods or services belonging to the other groups and product information related to that group. A trademark support system characterized by comprising: an output means that outputs information relating to goods or services in units of the aforementioned group, based on the product information acquired by the aforementioned product information acquisition means.

15. A trademark support system characterized by having output means that outputs information about goods or services on a group basis, based on product information relating to one group and other related groups, and the goods or services belonging to the group, from a group formed by grouping goods or services belonging to the same classification and having a common similarity group code.

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