Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Information Processing Program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of outputting a search result obtained by reflecting intentions of a plurality of users as compared with a case in which a search history obtained when a first user performs a search for a second user as a search objective target subject is accumulated and a search result is output without using a previous search history for a search by the second user.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes at least one processor, the processor being configured to: receive a search target selected for search purpose from among a plurality of users; receive a search condition designated by a searcher; output a search result obtained by searching for a search target based on a keyword corresponding to the search condition and accumulate, as a search history, the keyword in association with a second user in a case in which a first user is the searcher and the search target is the second user; and reflect the search history to output of the search result obtained by searching for the search target based on the keyword corresponding to the search condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for searching for a search target based on keywords corresponding to search conditions specified by a user and presenting the search results to the user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for obtaining search results appropriate for a user, in which the results of a search in a database that stores information about the search target based on input keywords are narrowed down according to classification items set by the user, and the search results are output for each classification item. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-172375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By specifying search conditions, a user can obtain search results that reflect the user's intentions. However, with conventional techniques, it has been difficult to obtain search results that reflect the intentions of multiple users.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can accumulate search history when a first user searches for a second user as the search target, and output search results that reflect the intentions of multiple users compared to when search results are output for a search by the second user without using the previous search history. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the information processing device of the present disclosure is an information processing device that uses one of a plurality of users, including a first user and a second user, as a searcher and outputs search results obtained by searching for a search target based on search conditions specified by the searcher, and is equipped with at least one processor, wherein the processor accepts a search target selected from the plurality of users as the purpose of the search, accepts search conditions specified by the searcher, and when the first user is the searcher and the search target is a second user, outputs search results obtained by searching for the search target based on keywords corresponding to the search conditions, and stores the keywords as search history in association with the second user, and when the second user is the searcher, reflects the search history in the output of search results obtained by searching for the search target based on keywords corresponding to the search conditions.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the information processing method of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by the processor of an information processing device having at least one processor, which has one of a plurality of users including a first user and a second user as the searcher, and outputs search results obtained by searching for a search target based on search conditions specified by the searcher, the information processing method accepting a search target selected from the plurality of users as the purpose of the search, accepting search conditions specified by the searcher, and if the first user is the searcher and the search target is a second user, outputting search results obtained by searching for the search target based on keywords corresponding to the search conditions, and storing the keywords as search history associated with the second user, and if the second user is the searcher, reflecting the search history in the output of search results obtained by searching for the search target based on the keywords corresponding to the search conditions.

[0008] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the information processing program disclosed herein is an information processing program executed by a processor of an information processing device that has at least one processor and that outputs search results obtained by searching for a search target based on search conditions specified by the searcher, with one of a plurality of users including a first user and a second user as the searcher, and that accepts a search target selected from the plurality of users as the purpose of the search, accepts search conditions specified by the searcher, and if the first user is the searcher and the search target is a second user, outputs search results obtained by searching for the search target based on keywords corresponding to the search conditions, and accumulates the keywords as search history associated with the second user, and if the second user is the searcher, reflects the search history in the output of search results obtained by searching for the search target based on keywords corresponding to the search conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, search history when a first user conducts a search with a second user as the search target is accumulated, and search results that reflect the intentions of multiple users can be output compared to when search results are output for a search by the second user without using the previous search history. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a search system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an attribute information DB. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating relationship information included in attribute information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a setting screen displayed on a display unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a search screen displayed on a display unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search screen when a searcher selects a search purpose target in the embodiment. [Figure 7A] 10 is a diagram for explaining whether to store a search history and whether to reflect the search history when the relationship between the searcher and the search target person is between manager and managed in the information processing device of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7B] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining whether to store a search history and whether to reflect the search history when the relationship between the searcher and the search target person is equal in the information processing apparatus of the embodiment. [Figure 7C] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example in which the relationship between a searcher and a search target can be arbitrarily set under the usage environment in the information processing apparatus of the embodiment; [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of information processing by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a first process executed when the relationship in information processing is between a manager and a managed person. [Figure 9B] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a second process executed when the relationship in information processing is equal. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of information processing by the information processing device of Modification 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen displayed on a display unit of an information processing device according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0012] First, an example of the overall configuration of the search system of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the search system 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the search system 1 of this embodiment includes an information processing device 10 and a search server 12. The information processing device 10 and the search server 12 are connected via a network 19 by wired communication or wireless communication. The search system 1 is a search system that performs search processing using the search server 12 (search engine 13) provided on the network 19.

[0013] The search server 12 is a so-called server computer or personal computer, and includes a search engine 13. As the search engine 13, for example, an existing search engine such as Yahoo! (registered trademark) or Google (registered trademark) can be used. The search server 12 has a function of providing the information processing device 10 with search results obtained by the search engine 13 in response to a search request from the information processing device 10 via the network 19. Specifically, the search server 12 receives keywords from the information processing device 10 as a search request, and transmits information such as titles and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) indicating websites that include the received keywords from among multiple websites (not shown) connected to the network 19 to the information processing device 10 as search results.

[0014] 1, the search system 1 is described as having one search engine 13, but the number of search engines 13 provided in the search system 1 is not limited to one, and the search system 1 may have a plurality of search engines 13. In this case, the search system 1 may have a plurality of search servers 12, each having a search engine 13, or one search server 12 may have a plurality of search engines 13. Furthermore, the search server 12 may be restricted so that only specific parties can access and perform searches using a user ID (Identification), a terminal ID, or the like.

[0015] Meanwhile, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment has a function of performing a search using the search server 12 via the network 19 in response to an instruction from a searcher, and outputting the search results acquired from the search server 12. The information processing device 10 may be, for example, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, or a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone. The searcher is a person determined by the information processing device 10, such as a logged-in user, and the information processing device 10 may be determined using an ID and password at the time of startup.

[0016] In Figure 1, a form in which the search system 1 has one information processing device 10 is described, but the number of information processing devices 10 included in the search system 1 is not limited to one, and the search system 1 may have multiple information processing devices 10.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of information processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, information processing device 10 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 22, a communication I / F (Interface) unit 24, an operation unit 26, and a display unit 28. Control unit 20, storage unit 22, communication I / F unit 24, operation unit 26, and display unit 28 are connected via a bus 29 such as a system bus or a control bus so as to be able to exchange various types of information with one another.

[0018] The control unit 20 of this embodiment controls the overall operation of the information processing device 10. The control unit 20 is a processor and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A. The control unit 20 is also connected to a storage unit 22, which will be described later.

[0019] The operation unit 26 is used by the searcher to input search-related instructions, various information, etc. The operation unit 26 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include various switches, a touch panel, a touch pen, and a mouse. The operation unit 26 may be configured as a voice input device using a microphone, etc. The display unit 28 displays search results and various information, etc. The operation unit 26 and the display unit 28 may be integrated into a touch panel display.

[0020] The communication I / F unit 24 communicates various information including search requests and search results with the search server 12 and the like via the network 19 by wireless or wired communication.

[0021] The storage unit 22 stores programs and various data used in the operation of the information processing device 10. The storage unit 22 includes, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) 22A, a random access memory (RAM) 22B, and a storage 22C. The ROM 22A stores various programs to be executed by the CPU 20A in advance. The RAM 22B temporarily stores various data. The storage 22C stores an information processing program 23 executed by the CPU 20A, an attribute information database (DB) 30 (details of which will be described later), and various other information. The information processing program 23 is a so-called search browser. The storage 22C is a non-volatile storage unit, and examples thereof include a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD).

[0022] 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example of the configuration of the information processing device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 10 includes an attribute information setting unit 40, a search purpose target person accepting unit 42, a search condition accepting unit 44, a search result acquisition unit 46, and a search result display processing unit 48. As an example, in the information processing device 10 of this embodiment, the CPU 20A of the control unit 20 executes the information processing program 23 stored in the storage 22C, so that the CPU 20A functions as the attribute information setting unit 40, the search purpose target person accepting unit 42, the search condition accepting unit 44, the search result acquisition unit 46, and the search result display processing unit 48.

[0023] The attribute information setting unit 40 has a function of setting attribute information representing the attributes of the target person who is the target of the search. The information processing device 10 of this embodiment can obtain search results according to a specific user pre-registered in the information processing device 10. In other words, search results for a search conducted for a specific user can be obtained. For example, when searching for leisure destinations, the desired search results will differ depending on whether the specific user is an indoor person or an outdoor person. In this case, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment can obtain leisure destinations for indoor people as search results by setting an attribute indicating that the specific user is an indoor person. On the other hand, if the specific user is an outdoor person, the attribute indicating that the specific user is an outdoor person can obtain leisure destinations for outdoor people as search results. In this embodiment, a "searcher" refers to a user who is currently operating the information processing device 10 to perform a search. In this embodiment, a "search target" refers to a specific user who is intended to perform a search. The "searcher" and the "search target" may or may not be the same. For example, if a husband acts as the "searcher" and searches for a gift for his wife, the wife will be the "search target," and therefore the "searcher" and the "search target" will be different.

[0024] The attribute information set by the attribute information setting unit 40 is stored in the storage 22C as the attribute information DB 30. Fig. 4A shows an example of the attribute information DB 30 (30A). As shown in Fig. 4A, in the attribute information DB 30, for each user, attribute information is associated with a name representing each user and an icon representing the user to be displayed on a search screen (described in detail later). As an example, the attribute information included in the attribute information DB 30A shown in Fig. 4A has information representing the user's attributes set for each of a plurality of items.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 4A, seven attribute items are used: “age,” “gender,” “occupation,” “hobbies,” “physical information,” “relationship information,” and “other.” Among the items, “age” is the user’s age, “gender” is the user’s gender, and “occupation” is the user’s occupation. Among the items, “hobbies” is the user’s hobbies, and “physical information” is information about the user’s body, such as health information. Among the items, “relationship information” is information representing the relationship between multiple users set in the attribute information DB 30. As an example, in this embodiment, the relationship between multiple users is determined by their relationship status and whether they are in an equal relationship (manager or managed). FIG. 4B shows an example of relationship information 30B. The relationship information 30B is information representing the relationship between other users from the user’s perspective. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, when user A is the user, user B is in an “equal” relationship with user B, user C is in a “son” and “managed” relationship, and user D is in a “son” and “managed” relationship.

[0026] Furthermore, among the attribute information items shown in FIG. 4A, "Other" refers to information about the user's attributes that is not classified into the above items. Examples of "Other" attribute information include, but are not limited to, living environment (living environment), such as whether the user lives in a detached house or an apartment building, whether the user lives alone or with a roommate, etc. Note that the attribute information items shown in FIG. 4A are merely examples, and the number and types of items are not particularly limited, and it is also possible to not set any items in the attribute information.

[0027] The attribute information setting unit 40 has a function of setting such attribute information in the attribute information DB 30 for each user. The method by which the attribute information setting unit 40 sets the attribute information for each user is not particularly limited. As an example, the attribute information setting unit 40 of this embodiment displays a setting screen 82, an example of which is shown in FIG. 5, on the display unit 28, and sets the attribute information input by the user performing the setting using the operation unit 26 in accordance with the setting screen 82 in the attribute information DB 30. The method of inputting the attribute information on the setting screen 82 is not particularly limited. For example, the attribute information may be freely input by the user performing the setting, or a pull-down menu may be displayed by clicking each item, from which the type of attribute that corresponds to the user can be selected.

[0028] The search purpose target receiving unit 42 has a function of receiving a search purpose target selected as the purpose of a search. Specifically, the search purpose target receiving unit 42 has a function of displaying user identification information 50 representing the above-mentioned users on a search screen 80, an example of which is shown in Fig. 6A, and receiving a search purpose target that is the purpose of this search and that is selected by the searcher from among the users displayed in the user identification information 50.

[0029] 6A shows an example of a search screen 80 displayed on the display unit 28. As shown in FIG. 6A, the search screen 80 includes user identification information 50 for identifying a user who may be the target of the search, an input field 52, and a search button 54. The user identification information 50 includes an icon 50A representing the user and a name 50B representing the name of the user.

[0030] The searcher selects a search target person by using the operation unit 26 to drag and drop or click an icon 50A representing a user corresponding to the search target person for this search from the user identification information 50 next to the input field 52 on the search screen 80. FIG. 6B shows an example of the search screen 80 when the searcher has selected one search target person. Specifically, FIG. 6B shows a state in which "User B" has been selected by the searcher as the search target person.

[0031] In this way, the search purpose target person receiving unit 42 receives the user corresponding to the icon 50A dragged and dropped by the searcher as the search purpose target person. The search purpose target person receiving unit 42 outputs information representing the received search purpose target person to the search result acquisition unit 46.

[0032] The search condition receiving unit 44 has a function of receiving search conditions specified by a searcher. Specifically, the search condition receiving unit 44 has a function of receiving, as search conditions 60, keywords 62 that the searcher inputs into the input field 52 by operating the operation unit 26 on the search screen 80. The example shown in FIG. 6B illustrates a state in which the searcher inputs two keywords 62, "travel destination" and "hot spring." Note that the keywords 62 input into the input field 52 are not particularly limited and may be, for example, either words or sentences. Furthermore, the number of keywords 62 that can be input into the input field 52 is not particularly limited. The search condition receiving unit 44 outputs information representing the received search conditions 60 to the search result acquisition unit 46.

[0033] The search result acquisition unit 46 acquires search results searched by the search engine 13 based on multiple keywords corresponding to the attribute information set for the search purpose target accepted by the search purpose target acceptance unit 42 and the search conditions 60 accepted by the search condition acceptance unit 44.

[0034] In addition, the search result acquisition unit 46 of this embodiment has a function of storing search history in association with the search purpose target during a search, and a function of reflecting the search history associated with the search purpose target, and whether or not to store the search history and whether or not to reflect the search history is determined depending on the relationship between the searcher and the search purpose target.

[0035] Here, we will explain the relationship between two users. In the relationship between an administrator (user A in FIG. 4A) and a managed user (user C in FIG. 4A), when user A, the administrator, as the searcher, searches for user C, the managed user, as the search purpose target, a search history is accumulated. This corresponds to the case in FIG. 7A where the searcher = administrator and the search purpose target = the managed user, and is marked as "〇". Also, when user C, the searcher, as the managed user, searches for user C, the managed user, as the search purpose target, the accumulated search history performed by user A for user C is reflected. This corresponds to the case where the searcher = the managed user and the search purpose target = the managed user, and is marked as "〇". In any other case, search history is not accumulated, and the accumulated search history is not reflected.

[0036] On the other hand, Fig. 7B shows a diagram for explaining whether or not to store a search history and whether or not to reflect the search history when the relationship between the searcher and the search objective target is equal. "α" in Fig. 7B is one of the specific users (users 1 to 4 in this embodiment) pre-registered in the information processing device 10, and "β" is one of the users (users 1 to 4 in this embodiment) set in the information processing device 10, and represents a user different from "α". Also, as in Fig. 7A, "◯" indicates that storage will be performed or reflected, and "×" indicates that storage will not be performed or reflected.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7B, a search conducted by user α as the searcher and user β as the search target is accumulated as a first search history, and the accumulated first search history is reflected when user α as the searcher searches for user β as the search target. This relationship is represented by "01" in Figure 7B. Similarly, a search conducted by user β as the searcher and user α as the search target is accumulated as a second search history, and the accumulated second search history is reflected when user β as the searcher conducts a search for user α as the search target. This relationship is represented by "02" in Figure 7B. In other words, in the case of Figure 7B, accumulation and reflection are performed when the searcher and the search target have the same relationship, and are not reflected in cases such as the administrator-managed relationship mentioned above.

[0038] These relationships are not fixed and can be freely set depending on the user's environment. For example, even in the case of an equal relationship, they can be mutually reflected. As shown in Figure 7C, searches performed by user α as the searcher and user β as the searcher are accumulated as a third search history, and the third search history accumulated when user β as the searcher searches for user β as the searcher is reflected. This relationship is represented by "〇3" in Figure 7C. Similarly, searches performed by user β as the searcher and user α as the searcher are accumulated as a fourth search history, and the fourth search history accumulated when user α as the searcher searches for user α as the searcher is reflected. This relationship is represented by "〇4" in Figure 7C. In this way, search history can be shared between users α and β, as shown in Figure 7C. The accumulation of searcher-searcher α-β is reflected in β-β, and the accumulation of β-α is reflected in α-α.

[0039] Specifically, the search result acquisition unit 46 acquires attribute information set for the search purpose subject accepted by the search purpose subject accepting unit 42 from the attribute information DB 30 and identifies the acquired attribute information as keywords. The search result acquisition unit 46 also identifies keywords 62 included in the search conditions 60 accepted by the search condition accepting unit 44 as keywords. The search result acquisition unit 46 then transmits a search request to the search server 12. Based on the relationship between the searcher and the search purpose subject, if a search history is to be reflected, the search request includes keywords identified from the search history, keywords identified from the attribute information, and keywords identified from the search conditions 60. On the other hand, if a search history is not to be reflected, the search request includes keywords identified from the attribute information and keywords identified from the search conditions 60. The search server 12 performs a search using the search engine 13 based on the multiple keywords included in the search request received from the information processing device 10, and transmits the search results to the information processing device 10. As described above, the search results are, for example, information such as titles and URLs representing websites that include the keywords included in the received search request.

[0040] The search result acquisition unit 46 receives the search results sent by the search server 12 and outputs the received search results to the search result display processing unit 48 .

[0041] The search result display processing unit 48 has a function of displaying the search results on the display unit 28. The method by which the search result display processing unit 48 displays the search results on the display unit 28 is not particularly limited.

[0042] Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing device 10 of this embodiment. As an example, the information processing device 10 of this embodiment executes the information processing example shown in FIG. 8 by causing the CPU 20A of the control unit 20 to execute the information processing program 23 stored in the storage 22C based on instructions from a searcher entered through the operation unit 26. Note that, before executing the information processing shown in FIG. 8, the attribute information setting unit 40 sets attribute information related to the attributes of the subject in the attribute information DB 30 stored in the storage 22C, as described above.

[0043] 8, the search screen 80 is displayed. The search purpose target person receiving unit 42 displays the user identification information 50 on the search screen 80. In addition, the search condition receiving unit 44 displays the input field 52 on the search screen 80.

[0044] As described above, the searcher operates the operation unit 26 to select a search target person from the user identification information 50 on the search screen 80. The searcher also operates the operation unit 26 to input keywords 62 that serve as search conditions 60 into the input field 52. After selecting the search target person and inputting the search conditions 60, the searcher operates the search button 54 to instruct the execution of a search.

[0045] In the next step S102, it is determined whether a search instruction has been accepted. Until a search instruction is accepted, in other words, until the searcher operates the search button 54 to issue an instruction to execute a search, the determination in step S102 will be negative, and the process will return to step S100. On the other hand, if a search instruction has been accepted, the determination in step S102 will be positive, and the process will proceed to step S104.

[0046] In the next step S104, the search condition receiving unit 44 receives the search conditions 60 entered in the input field 52 on the search screen 80, as described above. In the next step S106, the search result acquisition unit 46 identifies the keywords 62 to be used in the search from the received search conditions 60, as described above. In the form shown in FIG. 6B, two keywords 62, "travel destination" and "hot spring", are identified from the search conditions 60.

[0047] In the next step S108, it is determined whether or not a search target has been selected. In this embodiment, it is possible to perform a search without selecting a search target. In other words, the search system 1 of this embodiment can also perform a general-purpose search without assuming a search target. In this case, the searcher inputs keywords 62 that serve as search criteria 60 into the input field 52 without selecting a search target. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6B, if a search target has been selected, the determination in step S108 is positive, and the process proceeds to step S110.

[0048] In step S110, the search result acquisition unit 46 identifies which of the specific users (users 1 to 4 in this embodiment) registered in advance is the searcher. Note that the method by which the search result acquisition unit 46 identifies the searcher is not particularly limited. For example, user identification information such as a user ID (identifier) ​​may be stored in advance for each user, and the search result acquisition unit 46 may acquire the user identification information of the searcher and identify which of the specific registered users the searcher is based on the stored user identification information.

[0049] In the next step S112, the search purpose target person receiving unit 42 receives the selection of the search purpose target person as described above. For example, in the form shown in Fig. 6B, "User B" is received as the search purpose target person.

[0050] In the next step S114, the search result acquisition unit 46, as described above, refers to the attribute information DB 30 and identifies keywords to be used for the search from the attribute information representing the attributes of the selected search purpose target person.

[0051] In the next step S116, the search result acquisition unit 46 identifies the relationship between the searcher identified in step S110 and the search target received in step S112. Specifically, the search result acquisition unit 46 references relationship information 30B included in attribute information DB 30 stored in storage 22C to identify the relationship between the searcher and the search target. For example, if the searcher is user A and the search target is user B, the relationship is "equal." Also, for example, if the searcher is user A and the search target is user C, the relationship is "manager-managed," with user A as the manager and user C as the managed.

[0052] In the next step S118, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the relationship identified in step S116 is a manager-managed relationship. If the relationship is a manager-managed relationship, the determination in step S118 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S120.

[0053] In step S120, the search result acquisition unit 46 executes a first process, an example of which is shown in FIG. 9A.

[0054] In step S150 of the first process shown in Fig. 9A, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the search result subject is a person under management. If the search result subject is not a person under management, in other words, if the search result subject is a manager, the determination in step S150 is negative, and the first process shown in Fig. 9A ends. This ends information processing step S120 (see Fig. 8), and the process proceeds to step S124.

[0055] On the other hand, if the search purpose target person is a person under management, the determination in step S150 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S152.

[0056] In step S152, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the searcher and the search target person are the same. If the searcher and the search target person are not the same, that is, if the searcher is the administrator and the search target person is a person under administration, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S158.

[0057] In step S158, the search result acquisition unit 46 stores the keywords used in the identified search as a search history in association with the search purpose target. Specifically, the search result acquisition unit 46 stores the keywords identified in step S106 and the keywords identified in step S114 in association with the search purpose target. As an example, the search result acquisition unit 46 of this embodiment stores a search history in association with the user in the attribute information DB 30, as shown in FIG. 4A. The search result acquisition unit 46 also stores information indicating who the searcher was in the search in association with the search history. FIG. 4A shows a state in which "Travel destination: Hot springs" is stored as the search history for user B when the searcher is user A. When the processing of step S158 is completed, the first processing shown in FIG. 9A is terminated. This terminates information processing step S120 (see FIG. 8), and the processing proceeds to step S124.

[0058] On the other hand, if the searcher and the search purpose target are the same in step S152, that is, if the searcher and the search purpose target are managed, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step S154. In step S154, the search result acquisition unit 46 references the attribute information DB30 stored in the storage 22C and identifies the search history associated with the search purpose target. Specifically, of the search histories associated with the search purpose target, it identifies the search history in which the current searcher is associated as the searcher.

[0059] In the next step S156, the search result acquisition unit 46 identifies keywords to be used for the search from the search history identified in step S154. As an example, the search result acquisition unit 46 in this embodiment extracts keywords that are highly relevant to the keywords 62 included in the current search criteria 60 from the multiple keywords included in the search history, and identifies them as keywords to be used for the current search.

[0060] Highly relevant keywords may be extracted by performing a similarity analysis between multiple keywords included in the search history and the keywords 62 included in the current search criteria 60. For example, a similarity analysis is performed between a sentence or keyword, etc. included in the search criteria 60 and a sentence or keyword, etc. included in the search history to extract sentences or keywords to be used as related search history. The similarity analysis, for example, analyzes the degree of match between a keyword included in the search criteria 60 and a keyword included in the search history, and extracts keywords with a high degree of match as keywords with a high degree of match as keywords with a high degree of match to the keywords 62 included in the current search criteria 60. Note that a keyword with a high degree of match may be a keyword with the largest number of matches. Alternatively, a keyword with a high degree of match may be a keyword with a number of matches equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. Note that the reference value may be a value set by the user or preset.

[0061] Furthermore, although similarity analysis is performed between sentences or keywords included in the search criteria 60 and sentences or keywords included in the search history, this is not limited to this. Sentences or words describing the meanings or concepts of words or keywords in sentences included in the search criteria 60 or search history may be obtained from a dictionary site such as Wikipedia, and similarity analysis may be performed using sentences describing the obtained meanings or concepts. For example, similarity analysis may be performed between sentences describing the meanings or concepts of keywords and sentences describing the meanings or concepts of keywords in the search history, and keywords corresponding to sentences describing similar meanings or concepts may be determined to be keywords highly relevant to the keyword 62 included in the current search criteria 60.

[0062] Similarity analysis can also be performed using stored systematized information (ontology) that organizes keywords, rather than simply relying on the degree of similarity between words. Systematized information defines the concepts, usage, and conventions that describe keywords. For example, "lunch" can be organized as a sub-action of "meal," and "Italian" can be organized as a sub-action of lunch, i.e., "meal"-"lunch"-"Italian." If the keyword "lunch Chinese" is entered, the system can search for the same word (in this case, "lunch") in a systematized dictionary, determine whether the search is for the same purpose based on the hierarchical relationship, and extract keywords with a high degree of similarity. Furthermore, similarity analysis can be performed by vectorizing sentences or keywords using natural language processing such as latent semantic indexing (LSI) and comparing the vectors.

[0063] When the process of step S156 ends, the first process shown in Fig. 9A ends, and the information process (see Fig. 8) step S120 ends, and the process proceeds to step S124.

[0064] On the other hand, if the relationship is not that of manager / managed in S118, in other words, if the relationship is equal, the determination in step S118 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S122.

[0065] In step S122, the search result acquisition unit 46 executes the second process, an example of which is shown in FIG. 9B.

[0066] 9B, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the searcher and the search target person are the same. If the searcher and the search target person are not the same, that is, if the searcher and the search target person are different, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S172.

[0067] In step S172, similar to step S154 of the first process (see FIG. 9A), the search result acquisition unit 46 refers to the attribute information DB30 stored in the storage 22C and identifies the search history associated with the search purpose target. Specifically, from the search histories associated with the search purpose target, it identifies the search history associated with the current searcher as the searcher.

[0068] In the next step S174, the search result acquisition unit 46 identifies keywords 62 to be used for search from the search history identified in step S154, similar to step S156 in the first process (see FIG. 9A).

[0069] In the next step S176, the search result acquisition unit 46 associates the keywords used in the identified search with the search purpose target as a search history and stores them, similar to step S158 of the first process (see FIG. 9A). Specifically, the search result acquisition unit 46 associates the keywords identified in step S106 and the keywords identified in step S114 with the search purpose target, and also associates and stores information indicating who the searcher was in the search in the attribute information DB30 stored in the storage 22C. When the process of step S176 ends, the second process shown in FIG. 9B ends. This ends information processing step S122 (see FIG. 8), and the process proceeds to step S124.

[0070] On the other hand, if the searcher and the search target person are the same in step S170, the determination is affirmative, and the second process shown in Fig. 9B is terminated. This ends information processing step S122 (see Fig. 8), and the process proceeds to step S124.

[0071] In step S124, the search result acquisition unit 46 performs a search process using the search engine 13 of the search server 12, as described above, and acquires search results from the search server 12. Specifically, the search result acquisition unit 46 transmits a search request to the search server 12 via the network 19, and receives search results by the search engine 13 from the search server 12 via the network 19.

[0072] In the next step S126, the search result display processing unit 48 causes the display unit 28 to display the search results acquired in step S124.

[0073] In the next step S128, it is determined whether or not to end the information processing shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment, as an example, the determination in step S128 is negative until a predetermined end condition is met, and the process returns to step S100, and the processing of steps S100 to S126 is repeated.

[0074] On the other hand, if a predetermined termination condition is met, such as receiving an instruction from the searcher to terminate the search, the determination in step S128 is affirmative, and the information processing shown in FIG. 8 ends.

[0075] The above-described embodiment is an example of the technique of the present disclosure, and various modifications are possible. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0076] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the search history is reflected in the search by including keywords identified from the search history in the search request, but the method of reflecting the search history is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the search result display processing unit 48 may display the search results on the display unit 28 in order of priority according to their relevance to the keywords identified from the search history.

[0077] A flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing by the information processing device in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 10. Note that, except for a part of the first process in step S120 and the second process in step S122, the processes from steps S100 to S124 are the same as steps S100 to S124 of the information processing described above in the above embodiment (see Fig. 8), and therefore steps S100 to S122 are omitted from Fig. 10.

[0078] Note that the first process of this modified example omits steps S154 and S156 of the first process (see FIG. 9A) described above in the above embodiment. Also, the second process of this modified example omits steps S172 and S174 of the second process (see FIG. 9B) described above in the above embodiment. That is, in the first process and second process of this modified example, search history associated with the search purpose target person is accumulated, but the search history is not reflected.

[0079] 10, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the relationship identified in step S116 above is between a manager and a managed person. If the relationship is between a manager and a managed person, the determination in step S125A is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S125B.

[0080] In step S125B, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the search result target is a person under management. If the search target is not a person under management, in other words, if the search target is a manager, the determination in step S125B is negative, and the process proceeds to step S126. On the other hand, if the search target is a person under management, the determination in step S125B is positive, and the process proceeds to step S125C.

[0081] In step S125C, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the searcher and the search target person are the same. If the searcher and the search target person are not the same, that is, if the searcher is the administrator and the search target person is a person under administration, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step S126. On the other hand, if the searcher and the search target person are the same, the determination in step S125C is positive and the process proceeds to step S125E.

[0082] In step S125E, the search result acquisition unit 46, similar to step S154 of the first process (see Figure 9A) and step S172 of the second process (see Figure 9B) described above, refers to the attribute information DB30 stored in storage 22C and identifies the search history associated with the search purpose target.

[0083] In the next step S125F, the search result acquisition unit 46 identifies keywords from the search history identified in step S125E, similar to step S156 in the first process (see FIG. 9A) and step S174 in the second process (see FIG. 9) described above. The search result acquisition unit 46 outputs the keywords identified from the search history to the search result display processing unit 48.

[0084] In the next step S125G, the search result display processing unit 48 determines the priority of displaying the search results based on the search history, and then proceeds to step S126. Specifically, the search result display processing unit 48 determines a higher priority for a search result that is more closely related to the keyword identified in step S125F.

[0085] On the other hand, if the relationship is not that of manager / managed in step S125A, in other words, if the relationship is equal, the determination in step S125A is negative, and the process proceeds to step S125D.

[0086] In step S125D, the search result acquisition unit 46 determines whether the searcher and the search target person are the same, as in step S170 of the second process described above (see FIG. 9B). If the searcher and the search target person are not the same, that is, if the searcher and the search target person are different, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S125E. On the other hand, if the searcher and the search target person are the same, the determination is positive, and the process proceeds to step S126.

[0087] As a result, in step S126, the search result display processing unit 48 can display the search results in order of priority according to the search history, thereby reflecting the search history.

[0088] Note that the present modified example is not limited to this example, and for example, the search result acquisition unit 46 may extract search results related to the keyword identified from the search history from the search results received from the search server 12, and the search result display processing unit 48 may display the extracted search results on the display unit 28.

[0089] (Variation 2) Fig. 11 shows an example of a search screen 80 that the information processing device 10 of this modified example displays on the display unit 28. As shown in Fig. 11, the search screen 80 of this modified example displays an input field 52 for each user. In this manner, the input field 52 may be displayed for each user.

[0090] In the example shown in FIG. 11 , a searcher inputs search criteria 60 into an input field 52 provided according to a user selected as a search purpose target. The search purpose target receiving unit 42 receives the user corresponding to the input field 52 into which the search criteria 60 has been input as a search purpose target. In addition, the search condition receiving unit 44 receives the search criteria 60 input into the input field 52.

[0091] As described above, the information processing device 10 of each of the above forms is an information processing device that selects one of a plurality of users, including a first user and a second user, as a searcher, and outputs search results obtained by searching for a search target based on search conditions specified by the searcher.

[0092] The search purpose target receiving unit 42 receives a search purpose target selected from multiple users as the purpose of the search. The search condition receiving unit 44 receives search conditions 60 specified by the searcher. When a first user is the searcher and the search purpose target is a second user, the search result obtaining unit 46 obtains search results searched by the search engine 13 of the search server 12 based on keywords corresponding to the search conditions 60 and outputs the search results to a search result display processing unit 48. The search result obtaining unit 46 also stores the keywords as search history in association with the second user who is the search purpose target in the related information 30B. On the other hand, when the second user is the searcher, the search result obtaining unit 46 reflects the search history in the output of search results obtained by searching for a search target based on keywords corresponding to the search conditions 60.

[0093] For example, in a relationship between an administrator and a managed user, such as between a parent and a child or a boss and a subordinate, the parent user may enter keywords to conduct a search and obtain the information necessary for decision-making before making a decision. The administrator (parent, boss) user is responsible for the growth and behavior of the managed user and hopes that the managed user will be able to make better decisions. To achieve this, the administrator user has no choice but to directly communicate the appropriate information that will be obtained through a search to the managed user, either verbally or by email. However, the managed user may perceive this as an imposition from the administrator user. In such cases, the managed user may be resentful and not accept the advice or thoughts of the user administrator, making it difficult to effectively convey the advice or thoughts of the user administrator. In such cases, the information processing device 10 of each of the above embodiments accumulates a search history of searches conducted by the administrator user as a searcher and with the managed user as the search target, and reflects this in searches conducted by the managed user as a searcher, thereby incorporating the administrator user's knowledge, experience, and feelings toward the managed user into the searches conducted by the managed user. In other words, it is possible to perform a "nudge" (a gentle nudge with the elbow to encourage better decision-making) in behavioral economics, thereby improving the efficiency of decision-making by the users under management.

[0094] Furthermore, when a managed user searches for an unfamiliar phenomenon that the managed user has never encountered before, the managed user must repeatedly use trial and error to find the desired information based on their limited knowledge and experience. For this reason, the managed user may ask the administrator user, who has greater knowledge and experience, for instructions on how to do so. However, the administrator user needs time to understand the managed user's intention, and there is no guarantee that an accurate answer will be obtained. In such cases, the information processing device 10 of each of the above embodiments accumulates a search history of searches performed by the administrator user as a searcher and the managed user as the search target, and reflects this in searches performed by the managed user as a searcher, allowing the managed user to utilize the administrator user's knowledge and experience in searches without the managed user being aware of it.

[0095] Furthermore, for example, in the case of an equal relationship, such as that between husband and wife, siblings, or colleagues, if a husband and wife are planning a trip and searching for a travel destination, and the husband specifies his wife, who loves hot springs, and searches using search criteria 60 including two keywords 62, "travel" and "hot springs," if the wife, who is the searcher, specifies her husband as the search target and searches using search criteria 60 including "travel destination" as the keyword 62, the keyword "hot springs" identified from the search history will be reflected in the display of search results for search criteria 60 including "travel destination" as the keyword 62. As a result, even if the wife searches by specifying only "travel destination" as the search criteria 60, the search results will be displayed in a way that reflects the wife's preferences. Therefore, search results that suit both the husband and the wife can be obtained.

[0096] In this way, in each of the above-mentioned forms of information processing device 10, search history when other people specify themselves as the search target can be accumulated, and that search history can be reflected in searches, so that search results suitable for multiple users can be displayed.

[0097] In the above embodiments, the conditions for reflecting the search history are not limited to those described in the above embodiments. For example, if the searcher is a user who is an administrator and the search target is a user who is managed, the search history of the administrator user may also be reflected.

[0098] In addition, in the above embodiments, the information processing device 10 and the search server 12 are separate entities. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the information processing device 10 and the search server 12 may be integrated into a single device. In other words, the information processing device 10 may have a search engine 13. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the information processing device 10 accepts input from a searcher or displays the information to the searcher. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the searcher may input the search target and search conditions via a terminal device operated by the searcher, and the information processing device 10 may accept the input information accepted by the terminal device via a network or the like. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 may not have a display unit 28, and the search results acquired by the search result acquisition unit 46 may be sent via a network or the like to a terminal device having the display unit 28, and the terminal device that accepts the search results may display the searcher.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the following various processors can be used as the hardware structure of processing units that execute various processes, such as the attribute information setting unit 40, search purpose target receiving unit 42, search condition receiving unit 44, search result acquisition unit 46, and search result display processing unit 48. As described above, the various processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, as well as dedicated electrical circuits that are processors having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute specific processes, such as a programmable logic device (PLD), a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0100] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units may be configured with a single processor.

[0101] Examples of configuring multiple processing units with a single processor include, first, a form in which one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units, as typified by computers such as client and server. Second, a form in which a processor is used to realize the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units with a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by systems on chips (SoCs). In this way, various processing units are configured using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as a hardware structure.

[0102] Furthermore, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can be an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0103] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the information processing program 23 is described as being pre-stored (installed) in the storage 22C of the storage unit 22, but this is not limiting. The information processing program 23 may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Each of the information processing programs 23 may also be downloaded from an external device via a network. That is, the program (program product) described in the present embodiment may be provided on a recording medium or may be distributed from an external computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1. Search System 10. Information processing equipment 12 Search Server 13. Search Engines 19 Network 20 control unit, 20A CPU 22 Memory section, 22A ROM, 22B RAM, 22C Storage 23 Information Processing Program 24 Communication I / F section 26 Control section 28 Display section 29 Bus 30, 30A Attribute Information DB, 30B Relationship Information 40 Attribute information setting section 42 Search Purpose Reception Department 44 Search condition reception section 46 Search result acquisition unit 48 Search result display processing section 50 User identification information, 50A Icon, 50B Name 52 input fields 54 Search button 60 search criteria 62 Keywords 80 Search screen 82 Settings screen

Claims

1. An information processing device that outputs search results obtained by searching for a search target based on search conditions specified by a first user and a second user, the information processing device selecting one of a plurality of users including a first user and a second user as a searcher, at least one processor; The processor: Accepting a search purpose target selected from the plurality of users as a search purpose; Accepts search criteria specified by the searcher, When the first user is a searcher and the search target is the second user, a search result is outputted by searching the search target based on a keyword according to the search condition, and the keyword is stored as a search history in association with the second user; If the second user is a searcher, the search history is reflected in an output of a search result obtained by searching the search target based on a keyword corresponding to the search condition. Information processing device.

2. The processor: A search result for the search target is output based on the keyword corresponding to the search condition and the search history, thereby reflecting the search history. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: The search results obtained by searching for the search target based on the keywords according to the search conditions are displayed in order of priority according to the search history, thereby reflecting the search history. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. attribute information indicating an attribute of each of the plurality of users is set for each of the plurality of users; The processor: Acquire the attribute information of the search target person, When the first user is a searcher and the search target is the second user, a search result is outputted by searching the search target based on the attribute information and a plurality of keywords according to the search conditions, and the keywords are stored as a search history in association with the second user; If the second user is a searcher, the search history is reflected in an output of a search result obtained by searching the search target based on the attribute information and a plurality of keywords according to the search conditions. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The plurality of keywords include a keyword identified from the attribute information and a keyword identified from the search condition. The information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. The attribute information includes relationship information that indicates relationships between the plurality of users.

6. The information processing device according to claim 4.

7. The processor: determining whether to reflect the search history based on the relationship between the first user and the second user, which is represented by the relationship information; The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. An information processing method executed by at least one processor of an information processing device that outputs search results obtained by searching a search target based on search conditions specified by a first user and a second user, the information processing method comprising: Accepting a search purpose target selected from the plurality of users as a search purpose; Accepts search criteria specified by the searcher, When the first user is a searcher and the search target is the second user, a search result is outputted by searching the search target based on a keyword according to the search condition, and the keyword is stored as a search history in association with the second user; If the second user is a searcher, the search history is reflected in an output of a search result obtained by searching the search target based on a keyword corresponding to the search condition. Information processing methods.

9. An information processing program executed by at least one processor of an information processing device that outputs search results obtained by searching a search target based on search conditions specified by a first user or a second user, the information processing program comprising: Accepting a search purpose target selected from the plurality of users as a search purpose; Accepts search criteria specified by the searcher, When the first user is a searcher and the search target is the second user, a search result is outputted by searching the search target based on a keyword according to the search condition, and the keyword is stored as a search history in association with the second user; If the second user is a searcher, the search history is reflected in an output of a search result obtained by searching the search target based on a keyword corresponding to the search condition. Information processing program.