Information Retrieval System

Abstract

To provide a technique to allow a user to efficiently search for desired information.SOLUTION: An information searching system has: acquisition means that acquires a text of a user's question; specification means that specifies a predetermined purpose based on the text; searching means that searches for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose; recording means that records the desired information based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; and output means that outputs a search result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information retrieval system. [Background technology]

[0002] In-house portal sites that utilize websites and the like are widely used for information searches within companies. For such in-house portal sites, the maintenance work (addition and updating of content, etc.) by the administrator who manages the site and its contents plays an important role. In addition, technology has been proposed that allows users to efficiently search for desired information. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses displaying the hierarchical structure of the contents in an in-house portal on a web browser. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-242803 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as the amount of content increases and the number of years of operation increases, users may find it difficult to search for the information they are looking for. In response to such situations, the administrator of the in-house portal site updates pages on the site and adds and updates content, but sometimes such maintenance work cannot keep up.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a technique that enables a user to efficiently search for desired information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a means for obtaining the text of a user's question; An identification means for identifying a predetermined purpose based on the text; A search means for searching for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose; a recording means for recording desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; an output means for outputting the search results; It is an information retrieval system having the above structure. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a user can efficiently search for desired information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information retrieval and recording. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an information search system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of an information search process. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example during information search. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of an information registration process. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example when registering information. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of an information notification process. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example when notifying information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Embodiment) <Summary> Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information search and recording according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, an example of information search using a chat function on a terminal such as a smartphone will be described.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an example of messages exchanged between the server 1 (information search device) and the users A to C by operating the terminal 2. For example, assume that the user A inputs a question (message CC1 from user A) such as "Where is the document for xxx?" In this case, when the server 1 receives the message CC1, it identifies a predetermined purpose from the question and searches for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose. For example, in the above case, the predetermined purpose is to search for the "location" of the "document for xxx". Then, the server 1 searches for the "location" of the "document for xxx" from a storage unit such as the in-house portal CP, cloud storage CS, or desired information DB 41. Details of each storage unit will be described later. When the server 1 can obtain the "location of the document for xxx" from the in-house portal CP, it responds to the user A with information on the storage location of the "document for xxx" (for example, URL: Uniform Resource Locator). In the example of FIG. 1, a response (message CC2 from the server) such as "It's here. http: / / portal / xxx.ppt" is displayed on the terminal 2. In this way, when the user A is able to search for the desired information, the server 1 displays the desired information on the terminal 2.

[0011] Also, for example, when a question such as "Where is the remote work application form?" (message CC3 of user A) is input from user A, the server 1 searches for desired information corresponding to the specified predetermined purpose in the same manner as described above. For example, in the above case, the predetermined purpose is to search for the "location" of the "remote work application form". Here, if the server 1 cannot obtain the "location" of the "remote work application form" from any of the storage units, it responds to user A to that effect. In the example of FIG. 1, a response such as "I don't know" (message CC4 of the server) is displayed on the terminal 2. Here, in this embodiment, if the desired information is not obtained, the user who asked the question or other users can teach the desired information to the server 1. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, user B sends a (user B) message CC5 saying "It's here. RW application form http: / / storage.com / yyy.xls", and the server 1 records in the desired information DB 41 that the location of the "RW application form" is "http: / / storage.com / yyy.xls". Then, when the server 1 completes the recording, it returns a (server) message CC6 such as "I remembered it." In this way, even if the server 1 cannot search for the desired information (information to achieve a specific purpose), it can record the desired information based on the interaction with the user (search log).

[0012] Also, for example, when a question such as "Who is the person in charge of the zzz case?" is input from user C (message CC7 from user C), the server 1 searches for desired information corresponding to the specified predetermined purpose in the same manner as described above. For example, in the above case, the predetermined purpose is to find the "person in charge" of the "zzz case". Here, if the server 1 cannot obtain the "person in charge" of the "zzz case" from any of the storage units, it responds to that effect to user C. In the example of FIG. 1, a response such as "I don't know" (message CC8 from the server) is displayed on the terminal 2. Here, when user B sends a message CC9 (from user B) saying "It's Yamada-san from the Sales Department 1", the server 1 records in the desired information DB 41 that the "person in charge" of the "zzz case" is "Yamada-san from the Sales Department 1". In this way, even if the server 1 cannot search for the information the user is looking for, if another user knows it, by recording it in the desired information DB 41, it is possible for the server 1 to respond the next time a similar question is input. The system configuration according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0013] <System configuration> 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of the information search system according to this embodiment. The information search system according to this embodiment is configured by connecting a server 1 that performs processing, and a terminal 2 and a terminal 3 that are operated by users, via a predetermined network N such as the Internet.

[0014] The server 1 executes various processes in cooperation with the operations of the terminals 2 and 3. The terminals 2 and 3 receive input from the user and display the results of the processing by the server 1.

[0015] <Hardware configuration> 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 1 according to this embodiment. The server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0016] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 18 to the RAM 13. The RAM 13 also stores data and the like required for the CPU 11 to execute various processes. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14.

[0017] An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15. The output unit 16 is composed of a display, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images and sounds. The input unit 17 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and inputs various information. The memory unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices via a network N including the Internet.

[0018] Removable media 21, which may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, is appropriately attached to the drive 20. Programs read from the removable media 21 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. The removable media 21 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18.

[0019] Although not shown, terminal 2 and terminal 3 have the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

[0020] <Functional configuration> 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server 1 according to this embodiment. In the CPU 11 of the server 1, an acquisition unit 31, a specification unit 32, a search unit 33, an output unit 34, a recording unit 35, a notification unit 36, and a score calculation unit 37 function during operation.

[0021] The acquisition unit 31 acquires the text of the user's question via the terminal 2. In this embodiment, an example in which the acquisition unit 31 acquires character information input by the user as text will be described, but for example, voice information uttered by the user may be acquired as text. In this case, the acquired voice information is converted into text by various methods in the terminal or server. In addition, the acquisition unit 31 may acquire text from multiple users via the terminal 2, or may acquire text from multiple users who operate each terminal via multiple terminals. Note that the target acquired by the acquisition unit 31 is not limited to the user's question, and may acquire, for example, a recording instruction for desired information (recording instruction for storage location) from the user.

[0022] The identification unit 32 identifies the predetermined purpose based on the text acquired by the acquisition unit 31. For example, the identification unit 32 extracts a "target" and a "content" from the above text by performing various natural language processing, and identifies the predetermined purpose. For example, when a text "Where is the xxx document?" is acquired, the identification unit 32 extracts "xxx document" as the "target" and "location" as the "content". Then, based on these "target" and "content", the identification unit 32 identifies that the predetermined purpose is to search for the "location" of the "xxx document". Note that the server 1 does not need to include the identification unit 32, and in this case, the identification of the predetermined purpose based on the text can be performed using an external system. Note that the predetermined purpose may be identified based on the acquired text using a classifier generated by machine learning.

[0023] In this embodiment, the predetermined purpose is information that indicates the intention of the user's question and is identified based on the user's question. For example, in this embodiment, as described above, the predetermined purpose is identified by extracting the "target" and the "content" from the user's question.

[0024] "Target" is a word indicating the target of the search obtained from the text of the user's question, for example, "XX documents," "XX application form," "XX case," "XX deadline," etc.

[0025] "Content" refers to words indicating the content of the search (genre, attributes) obtained from the text of the user's question, such as words indicating the person in charge, deadline, location, document data, procedure, or all of these.

[0026] The search unit 33 searches for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose identified by the identification unit 32. For example, as described above, when the predetermined purpose is to search for the "location" of "xxx document", the search unit 33 searches for the "location" of "xxx document" in the desired information DB 41, the in-house information DB 51, the external storage 52, etc., which will be described later. Note that the server 1 does not need to include the search unit 33, and in this case, the search for the desired information can be performed using an external system. Note that a classifier generated by machine learning may be used to search (extract) the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose.

[0027] The output unit 34 outputs the search result by the search unit 33 to the terminal 2. For example, when the desired information is acquired, the output unit 34 outputs the desired information to the terminal 2. Also, for example, when the desired information is not acquired, the output unit 34 outputs a message to that effect to the terminal 2.

[0028] The recording unit 35 records the desired information based on a search log related to a specific purpose. For example, when the search unit 33 is unable to find the desired information and an instruction to record the desired information is received from the user, the recording unit 35 links information related to the specific purpose and the desired information based on the interaction with the user (search log) and records them in the desired information DB 41. The method of issuing a recording instruction is not particularly limited, and the recording instruction may be issued by a message such as "It's here," or by a message such as "Please register XX."

[0029] When content related to a keyword (interest information) recorded in the interest information DB 42 is recorded or updated, the notification unit 36 ​​performs a predetermined notification to users who are interested in the keyword. Here, it is assumed that the user has previously recorded keywords of interest in the interest information DB 42 by linking them to the user. For example, when "xxx material" is recorded in the interest information DB 42 as a keyword of interest to the user, and "xxx material" is saved or updated by another user, the notification unit 36 ​​notifies users who are interested in "xxx material" that "xxx material has been uploaded (or updated)," etc.

[0030] The score calculation unit 37 calculates a score (level) indicating the degree of growth of the information retrieval system for each predetermined organization to which a plurality of users belong. Here, an organization is a group to which a plurality of users belong. Examples of organizations include a company, a department, and an organization. The score indicating the degree of growth of the information retrieval system is a score calculated based on, for example, the number of times recorded by the recording unit 35, the information capacity accumulated in the desired information DB 41, the number of times the desired information DB 41 is searched by the search unit 33, or a combination of these. The score calculation unit 37 records the calculated score in the growth degree DB 53. In addition to calculating the score, the score calculation unit may perform labeling such as "expert level" and "standard" and record it in the growth degree DB 53. In addition, the score calculation unit 37 may record information indicating the usage status of the information retrieval system in the growth degree DB 53, and may calculate the above score based on the information indicating the usage status.

[0031] 4, a desired information DB 41 and an interest information DB 42 are provided in one area of ​​the storage unit 18. In addition, as storage units external to the server 1, an in-house information DB 51, an external storage 52, and a growth degree DB 53 are provided.

[0032] As described above, the desired information DB 41 is a storage unit that stores "targets," "contents," and "desired information" extracted based on a predetermined purpose. In the present embodiment, the desired information DB 41 is provided in an area of ​​the storage unit 18 of the server 1, but may be provided in an area of ​​an external storage device of the server 1.

[0033] As described above, the interest information DB 42 is a storage unit that stores, for each user, keywords that the user is interested in. Note that, in the present embodiment, an example in which the interest information DB 42 is provided in an area of ​​the storage unit 18 of the server 1 will be described, but the interest information DB 42 may be provided in an area of ​​an external storage device of the server 1.

[0034] The in-house information DB 51 is a storage unit that stores information to be displayed on an in-house portal site, etc. In this embodiment, an example in which the in-house information DB 51 is provided in an area of ​​an external storage device different from the server 1 will be described. However, the in-house information DB 51 may be provided in an area of ​​the storage unit 18 of the server 1.

[0035] The external storage 52 is any external storage device such as a cloud storage, etc. Note that a plurality of external storages 52 may be provided.

[0036] The growth degree DB 53 is a storage unit that stores the growth degree of the information retrieval system for each organization. The growth degree DB 53 records the scores and the utilization status of the information retrieval system from each server managed by a plurality of organizations.

[0037] <Processing content: Information search processing> Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of information search processing according to this embodiment. In Fig. 5, an example will be described in which the server 1 and the terminal 2 communicate with each other via an arbitrary network N such as the Internet.

[0038] In step S1, terminal 2 accepts a question from user A. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which user A inputs characters in a chat format, causing terminal 2 to accept the question. Note that the method of accepting a question is not limited to character input, and any method may be used. For example, user A may input a question by voice, causing terminal 2 to accept the question.

[0039] In step S2, the text of the question from user A is transmitted from terminal 2 to server 1.

[0040] In step S3, the acquisition unit 31 acquires the text of the user A's question.

[0041] In step S4, the identification unit 32 identifies a predetermined purpose based on the text acquired by the acquisition unit 31. For example, the identification unit 32 identifies the predetermined purpose by performing various natural language processes on the acquired text.

[0042] In step S5, the search unit 33 searches for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose identified by the identification unit 32. For example, the search unit 33 searches for the "location" of the desired information (e.g., xxx documents) in the desired information DB 41, the in-house information DB 51, the external storage 52, etc.

[0043] In step S6, the output unit 34 outputs the results of the search performed by the search unit 33 to the terminal 2. If the desired information is acquired, the output unit 34 outputs the desired information to the terminal 2, and if the desired information is not acquired, the output unit 34 outputs a message to that effect to the terminal 2. Here, an example will be described in which the desired information (for example, a URL indicating the storage location of the material xxx) is acquired as a search result.

[0044] In step S7, the terminal 2 displays the search results output from the server 1 on the output section (for example, a display) of the terminal 2.

[0045] In step S8, terminal 2 receives an instruction from user A to access the search results (e.g., the above URL). The method of receiving the instruction to access the search results is not particularly limited. For example, when the search results are displayed in the form of a hyperlink, user A may select the search result, thereby receiving the instruction to access. Also, for example, the user may input the search results as a chat message, thereby receiving the instruction to access. Here, an example will be described in which the user inputs the URL of the search results in a chat message.

[0046] In step S9, the terminal 2 transmits the above-mentioned access instruction message to the server 1. Here, the message is the URL of the above-mentioned search result.

[0047] In step S10, when the acquisition unit 31 acquires the above-mentioned message, the search unit 33 acquires electronic data corresponding to the URL of the above-mentioned search result. Here, it is assumed that predetermined document data is acquired as the electronic data corresponding to the URL of the search result.

[0048] In step S11, the output unit 34 transmits the electronic data acquired by the acquisition unit 31 to the terminal 2.

[0049] In step S12, the terminal 2 displays the electronic data acquired by the server 1 on an output unit (for example, a display) of the terminal 2. The terminal 2 may open the electronic data acquired by the server 1 using a predetermined application.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example during information search according to this embodiment. FIG. 6(A) is a diagram showing a display example of an application running on the terminal 2 according to this embodiment. The information search VA (Virtual Assistant) is an agent that virtually interacts with the user. When the user A inputs "Search for xxx materials" as shown in FIG. 6(A), the server 1 outputs a message such as "It's here. http: / / portal / xxx.ppt" to the terminal 2 as information (for example, a URL) indicating the location of the "xxx materials" as shown in FIG. 6(B). Then, when the user A inputs "http: / / portal / xxx.ppt" (or selects the URL output by the server 1) as shown in FIG. 6(C), the electronic data corresponding to the input URL is acquired and output to the terminal 2 as shown in FIG. 6(D). In the application according to this embodiment, when the user A sends a message "That's right. Thank you" in response to the above message as shown in FIG. 6(E), the server 1 responds with "I understand." In this way, by having the user input whether or not the information output by server 1 matches the information desired by the user and managing the information by server 1, the accuracy of the information search process in server 1 can be improved.

[0051] <Processing content: Information registration processing> Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information search processing according to this embodiment. In Fig. 5, an example will be described in which the server 1 and the terminal 2 communicate with each other via an arbitrary network N such as the Internet. Note that in the above application, multiple users can view and input messages.

[0052] Steps S21 to S27 are the same as steps S1 to S7 described above, and therefore the description will be omitted. In the example of Fig. 7, a case where desired information cannot be acquired in steps S25 and S26 will be described as an example. Specifically, for example, the search results are displayed on terminal 2 in step S27, but the search results are not the information desired by user A.

[0053] In step S28, the terminal 2 accepts input of information from a user B different from the user A. Here, the user A checks whether the information input by the user B matches the information desired by the user A. For example, the user A checks whether the information input by the user B matches the information desired by the user A based on the display of the information input by the user B (such as the file name of the document, the URL, etc.). In addition, the user A checks whether the information input by the user B matches the information desired by the user A by, for example, accessing the information input by the user B (such as opening the document, accessing the URL, etc.). Then, the user A issues an instruction to register the information input by the user B when the information input by the user B matches the information desired by the user A. An example of the registration instruction is when the user A inputs a message such as "Register". When the user A issues the registration instruction, the process of the next step S29 is executed.

[0054] In step S29, an instruction to register the desired information is accepted from user A. Here, an example will be described in which the information entered by user B in step S28 matches the desired information of user A. Note that the instruction to register the desired information may be accepted from user B.

[0055] In step S30, the terminal 2 transmits to the server 1 the above-mentioned registration instruction message.

[0056] In step S31, upon receiving the above-mentioned message of instruction to register, the recording unit 35 records information relating to a predetermined purpose and the desired information in the desired information DB 41 in association with each other.

[0057] In step S32, the output unit 34 transmits to the terminal 2 a message indicating that the desired information has been recorded in the desired information DB 41.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example when registering information according to this embodiment. FIG. 8(A) is similar to FIG. 6(D) and shows a display example of a state in which electronic data corresponding to a URL input by user A is acquired and output to terminal 2. This is a diagram showing a display example of an application operating on terminal 2 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8(B) shows a display example in the case where user A inputs "This is not it" when the search result output to terminal 2 is not the information desired by user A. Here, when user B, who is different from user A, knows "xxx's material", user B can present "xxx's material" to user A. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(C), user B can send a message saying "How about this material?" and attach a material. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(D), when the material attached by user B is the desired information, user A can instruct server 1 to register (record) the attached material by sending a message saying "That's right. Thank you. VA, register this." Then, when the registration is completed, the server 1 transmits a message "You have been registered" to the terminal 2 as shown in FIG. 8(E).

[0059] <Processing content: Information notification processing> Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an information notification process according to the present embodiment. In Fig. 7, an example will be described in which the server 1, the terminal 2 and the terminal 3 communicate with each other via an arbitrary network N such as the Internet.

[0060] Steps S41 to S44 are similar to steps S29 to S32 described above, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0061] In step S45, the notification unit 36 ​​extracts a user corresponding to a keyword that matches or is similar to the desired information when the desired information registered in step S43 (step S31) matches or is similar to a keyword in the interest information DB 42. Here, it is assumed that user D is extracted as a user corresponding to the above keyword.

[0062] In step S46, the notification unit 36 ​​notifies the terminal 3, which is the terminal of the user D, that the information in which the user D is interested has been registered.

[0063] In step S47, the terminal 3 displays the notification outputted from the server 1 on the output section (for example, a display) of the terminal 3.

[0064] In step S48, the terminal 3 receives an instruction to acquire the information notified by the server 1.

[0065] In step S49, the terminal 3 transmits to the server 1 a message indicating that the above-mentioned notification information is to be obtained.

[0066] In step S50, when the acquisition unit 31 acquires the above-mentioned message, the search unit 33 acquires electronic data (information of interest) corresponding to the above-mentioned notification information.

[0067] In step S51, the output unit 34 transmits the electronic data acquired by the acquisition unit 31 to the terminal 3. In other words, the server 1 provides the user D with information in which the user D is interested.

[0068] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display when notifying information according to this embodiment. Terminal 2 shows an example of a display when a message indicating completion of registration is sent from server 1 in response to a registration instruction from user A. Terminal 3 shows an example of a display when a message indicating that information of interest to user D, corresponding to a keyword that matches or is similar to the registered information, has been registered ("xxx materials have been uploaded") is notified. Here, when user D inputs a message indicating that the notified information is to be acquired ("I want xxx materials"), server 1 provides user D with information that is of high interest to user D along with the message "xxx materials please."

[0069] <Advantageous Effects of the Present Embodiment> According to the above embodiment, a user can input information to be searched for into a chat, and if the information is already registered in the server, the information can be output. In other words, the user can efficiently search for the desired information without being aware of the location of the desired information. In addition, the user can search for the desired information without being aware of the system in which the desired information is stored.

[0070] Furthermore, if the desired information is not registered on the server, the user who made the question or another user can tell the server what information they are looking for (issue a registration instruction), and the latest information can be output from the next time. This makes it possible to increase the amount of information stored in the information search system. It also makes it possible to provide an information search environment that grows and evolves autonomously.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, the server records desired information based on a search log for a specific purpose, thereby reducing the operational burden on the administrator of an existing system (for example, an in-house portal).

[0072] In addition, when a user inputs a document or the like that he or she wants to share with other users into the chat, it can be automatically stored in an appropriate storage location. Also, when a user who needs certain information registers a keyword related to the certain information in advance on the server, the user can receive a notification from the server when information related to the keyword is stored, saved, or updated.

[0073] In addition, by calculating a score that indicates the degree of growth of the information search system for each organization, it is possible to compare the usage status with other companies and other departments, and to confirm the degree to which the information search system has grown, which can lead to the improvement of the company's strength. In addition, by calculating and comparing the above scores and adding gamification elements, it is possible to promote business while empowering the company in a playful way.

[0074] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0075] (Modification) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the desired information was recorded based on a search log related to a predetermined purpose when the server was unable to search for the desired information, but the desired information may be recorded regardless of whether the desired information was unable to be searched. For example, when the desired material was searched for and a new additional material was created in addition to the desired material, the server may record the desired information (additional material) based on a search log related to a predetermined purpose by attaching the material with a message saying "Please save the material for XX." Also, for example, when the desired material was searched for and a change was made to the desired material, the server may record (update) the desired information based on a search log related to a predetermined purpose by attaching the material with a message saying "Please update the material for XX."

[0076] In the above embodiment, an example of identifying a predetermined purpose by extracting a "target" and a "content" from a user's question has been described, but there are cases where the "target" and the "content" are not uniquely identified. For example, when a question such as "I want to apply for xxx" is input, the server can identify the "target" as an "application for xxx", but cannot uniquely identify the "content". In such a case, for example, the server may output the location of the application form for "application for xxx" (or the application form data itself), such as "here is the application form for xxx". In addition, for example, the server may ask a question asking about the "content", such as "what content do you want for the application for xxx?" In addition, for example, the server may output all information related to the "application for xxx". Here, all information includes, for example, "location of the application form", "location of the application method or application procedure", "application deadline", "application window (person in charge)", etc. in the "application for xxx".

[0077] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the search result of the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose is one. Specifically, for example, the search unit acquires the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose and the accuracy of the desired information as the search result. Then, the search unit outputs the desired information with the highest accuracy as the search result. In this way, even if there are multiple search results of the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose, the search unit can output one search result. Here, the accuracy is information indicating the degree of match (score) between the desired purpose and the desired information. The accuracy can be obtained, for example, by using the classifier described above. The detection unit may also adjust the acquired accuracy. For example, the search unit may adjust the accuracy to be higher for documents that have been searched many times. The search unit may also adjust the accuracy based on a user's instruction (for example, pressing a button, posting to a chat, etc.). For example, the search unit may adjust the accuracy to be higher when the user responds to the output search results that "it's correct." The search unit may also adjust the accuracy to be lower when the user responds to the output search results that "it's not what I expected." Also, for example, when there are multiple search results for desired information corresponding to a specific purpose, the search unit displays the multiple search results (e.g., multiple search results with a specific accuracy or higher) on the user's terminal. Then, when the user selects any information, the search unit may adjust the accuracy of the selected information to be higher (e.g., in the next or subsequent search process). The server may output a question to the terminal asking which of the multiple detection results should be output. In addition, when there are multiple search results for desired information corresponding to a specific purpose, the server may output all of the multiple detection results to the terminal.

[0078] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which desired information is recorded based on text information entered on a chat as a search log for a specific purpose, but the search log is not limited to the above. For example, a system log may be used as the search log. In this case, for example, when multiple files are output to a terminal as a search result, the server may measure the viewing time of the user and identify and record (register) the file with the longest viewing time among the viewed files as the desired information.

[0079] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a user inputs a question by inputting characters into a chat-style application, but the method of inputting a question is not particularly limited. For example, a user may input a question by speaking into a terminal.

[0080] In the above embodiment, a terminal such as a smartphone has been described as an example of the terminal, but the terminal is not particularly limited, and any terminal such as a PC or a tablet may be used.

[0081] In the above embodiment, an example is described in Figs. 7 and 8 in which desired information provided by another user (user B) different from the user who asked the question (user A) is linked to information related to a predetermined purpose and recorded. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and desired information provided by the user who asked the question may be linked to information related to a predetermined purpose and recorded. For example, it is assumed that the user who asked the question may instruct the server to register materials that he or she has found through his or her own research as desired information when the user is unable to obtain the desired information.

[0082] Also, for example, the above-mentioned series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the functional configuration of FIG. 4 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing system is provided with a function capable of executing the above-mentioned series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example of FIG. 4. In addition, the location of the functional block is not particularly limited to that of FIG. 4 and may be arbitrary. For example, the functional block of the server may be transferred to another terminal or the like. Conversely, the functional block of the terminal may be transferred to the server or the like. In addition, one functional block may be configured by a single piece of hardware, a single piece of software, or a combination thereof.

[0083] When a series of processes is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer built into dedicated hardware. The computer may also be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0084] A recording medium containing such a program may be composed not only of a removable medium (not shown) that is distributed separately from the device main body in order to provide the program to a user, etc., but also of a recording medium that is provided to a user, etc. in a state where it is pre-installed in the device main body.

[0085] In this specification, the steps describing the program recorded on the recording medium include not only processes performed in chronological order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed in chronological order but are performed in parallel or individually. In addition, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall device composed of multiple devices, multiple means, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1: Server 2: Terminal 3: Terminal 11:CPU 18:Storage section 19:Communication section 31: Acquisition unit 32: Identification unit 33: Search unit 34: Output section 35: Recording section 36: Notification section 37: Score calculation unit 41: Desired information DB 42: Interest information DB 51: Internal information DB 52: External storage 53: Growth rate DB

Claims

1. a obtaining means for obtaining the text of a user's question; An identification means for identifying a predetermined purpose based on the text; a search means for searching for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose and obtaining a degree of accuracy indicating a degree of agreement between the predetermined purpose and the desired information; a recording means for recording information related to the predetermined purpose and the desired information in association with each other based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; an output means for outputting the search results; a calculation means for calculating a score for each of a plurality of users based on information indicating a usage situation of the information retrieval system; having When there are a plurality of pieces of desired information having a predetermined accuracy or higher as the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose, the search means outputs the plurality of pieces of desired information to the output means as search results, and when any of the desired information is selected by a user, the search means increases the accuracy of the selected desired information in the next or subsequent search processes. Information retrieval system.

2. a obtaining means for obtaining the text of a user's question; An identification means for identifying a predetermined purpose based on the text; a search means for searching for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose and obtaining a degree of accuracy indicating a degree of agreement between the predetermined purpose and the desired information; a recording means for recording information related to the predetermined purpose and the desired information in association with each other based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; an output means for outputting the search results; having the search means causes the output means to output only the most accurate desired information from among the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose as a search result; If the output desired information is the desired information expected by the user, the accuracy of the desired information is increased in the next or subsequent search process, and if the output desired information is not the desired information expected by the user, the accuracy of the desired information is decreased in the next or subsequent search process. Information retrieval system.

3. the specifying means extracts a search target and a content from the text, and if the content cannot be extracted from the text, asks a user a question about the content; 3. An information retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. If the search means is unable to search for the desired information, the recording means records the desired information based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose.

4. An information retrieval system according to claim 1.

5. When the search means is unable to search for the desired information, the output means outputs a message indicating that the desired information is not available; When the acquisition means receives an instruction to record the desired information from the user who has asked the question or another user, the recording means records the information regarding the predetermined purpose and the desired information in association with each other in the storage means. An information retrieval system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The acquiring means acquires the text from a plurality of users; When the acquisition means receives an instruction to record the desired information from the user who asked the question or another user, the recording means links the information regarding the predetermined purpose with the desired information provided by the other user different from the user who asked the question and records them in the storage means. An information retrieval system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The method further comprises: recording in advance in a storage means a keyword in which a user is interested for each user; and, when content related to the keyword in which the user is interested is recorded or updated, issuing a predetermined notification to the user corresponding to the keyword in which the user is interested. An information retrieval system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The process to be executed by an information retrieval system constructed using a computer is as follows: an acquisition step for acquiring a text of a user's question; identifying a predetermined purpose based on the text; a search step of searching for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose and acquiring a degree of accuracy indicating a degree of agreement between the predetermined purpose and the desired information; an output step for outputting the search results; a recording step of recording information related to the predetermined purpose and the desired information in association with each other based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; a calculation step of calculating a score for each of a plurality of users based on information indicating a usage situation of the information retrieval system; having In the search step, if there are a plurality of pieces of desired information having a predetermined accuracy or higher as the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose, the plurality of pieces of desired information are output as search results in the output step, and when any of the desired information is selected by the user, the accuracy of the selected desired information is increased in the next or subsequent search processes. A method for controlling an information retrieval system.

9. The process to be executed by an information retrieval system constructed using a computer is as follows: a obtaining step for obtaining the text of a user's question; identifying a predetermined purpose based on the text; a search step of searching for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose and acquiring a degree of accuracy indicating a degree of agreement between the predetermined purpose and the desired information; an output step for outputting the search results; a recording step of recording information related to the predetermined purpose and the desired information in association with each other based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; having In the search step, only the most accurate desired information is output as a search result from among the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose in the output step; If the output desired information is the desired information expected by the user, the accuracy of the desired information is increased in the next or subsequent search process, and if the output desired information is not the desired information expected by the user, the accuracy of the desired information is decreased in the next or subsequent search process. A method for controlling an information retrieval system.

10. an acquisition step for acquiring a text of a user's question; identifying a predetermined purpose based on the text; a search step of searching for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose and acquiring a degree of accuracy indicating a degree of agreement between the predetermined purpose and the desired information; an output step for outputting the search results; a recording step of recording information related to the predetermined purpose and the desired information in association with each other based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; a calculation step of calculating a score for each of a plurality of users based on information indicating a usage situation of the information retrieval system; A computer program for causing a computer to execute the following: In the search step, if there are a plurality of pieces of desired information having a predetermined accuracy or higher as the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose, the plurality of pieces of desired information are output as search results in the output step, and when any of the desired information is selected by the user, the accuracy of the selected desired information is increased in the next or subsequent search processes. Computer program.

11. a obtaining step for obtaining the text of a user's question; identifying a predetermined purpose based on the text; a search step of searching for desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose and acquiring a degree of accuracy indicating a degree of agreement between the predetermined purpose and the desired information; an output step for outputting the search results; a recording step of recording information related to the predetermined purpose and the desired information in association with each other based on a search log related to the predetermined purpose; A computer program for causing a computer to execute the following: In the search step, only the most accurate desired information is output as a search result from among the desired information corresponding to the predetermined purpose in the output step; If the output desired information is the desired information expected by the user, the accuracy of the desired information is increased in the next or subsequent search process, and if the output desired information is not the desired information expected by the user, the accuracy of the desired information is decreased in the next or subsequent search process. Computer program.

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