Search device, search method, and program

Abstract

To provide a search device, a search method, and a program capable of more appropriately notifying a user of new information that may be of interest to the user. [Solution] The search device 100 comprises a recording unit 110 that records input search conditions, an acquisition unit 141 that acquires search conditions that satisfy the most recent conditions from the recorded search conditions, an extraction unit 142 that extracts trading objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new trading objects newly registered in the database 130, and a notification unit 150 that determines whether the extracted trading object satisfies the notification conditions, and if it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied, notifies the user of the extracted trading object, and if it is determined that the notification conditions are not satisfied, repeatedly executes a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to acquire search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions, until it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for providing various information to users. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a music data distribution device that extracts songs that fit a user's favorite artist or genre from among new songs newly registered in a music database, distributes update information representing the songs, and reads and distributes music data of the extracted songs from the music database. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-108352 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The music data distribution device of Patent Document 1 distributes update information and music data for newly arrived songs if the song matches the conditions specified by the user. Therefore, if the user's interests change after the conditions are specified, the user must add new conditions or change the specified conditions each time, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, if the user does not properly manage the specified conditions in accordance with changes in their interests, there is a problem in that information corresponding to the user's most recent interests cannot be notified. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of more appropriately notifying the user of newly arrived information that may be of interest to the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a search device, a search method, and a program that can more appropriately notify users of new information that is likely to be of interest to them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a search device according to the present invention comprises: A search device that searches for a transaction object that matches a search condition input by a user from among a plurality of transaction objects registered in a database, a recording unit for recording the input search conditions; an acquisition unit that acquires, from the recorded search conditions, search conditions that satisfy most recent conditions for acquiring predetermined most recently input search conditions; an extraction unit that extracts trading objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new trading objects that are newly registered in the database; a notification unit that determines whether the extracted trading objects satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the trading objects, and if it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions, notifies the user of the extracted trading objects, and if it is determined that the extracted trading objects do not satisfy the notification conditions, repeatedly executes a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to obtain the search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions, until it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a search device, a search method, and a program that can more appropriately notify a user of new information that is likely to be of interest to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing cooperation between the search device and other devices. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for inputting search conditions displayed on a terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a search device. [Figure 4]4 is a diagram showing an example of a search condition table stored in a search condition storage unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database illustrated in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is a diagram showing an example of new arrival information generated by a notification unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a physical configuration of a search device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a search condition recording process performed by the search device. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a notification process performed by the search device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A search device, a search method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] In this embodiment, a search device that provides information about real estate properties is described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to cases where information about movable property, real estate, and services that are the subject of transactions is provided, such as products sold through shopping sites and auction sites, accommodations and travel plans provided through reservation sites, videos, e-books, and games distributed through distribution sites. In other words, this embodiment is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, a person skilled in the art could adopt embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalents, and these embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0011] (Overall composition) Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing cooperation between a search device 100 and other devices. The following description will be made with reference to this diagram. As shown in Fig. 1, the search device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is communicably connected to a terminal 200 via a communication network 300. Note that, although Fig. 1 shows one terminal 200, the number of applicable terminals 200 is not limited to this, and multiple terminals 200 may be applied.

[0012] The search device 100 is configured with one or more server computers. The search device 100 provides an information provision service. In the information provision service, the search device 100 searches a database that stores property information on real estate properties that are the subject of information provision, for property information on real estate properties that match search criteria entered by a user, and provides the property information on the searched real estate properties to the user. The property for which information is provided may be, for example, a residence (a detached house, a room in an apartment, a room in a condominium, etc.) or an office. Furthermore, the property for which information is provided may be, for example, a newly built property, a used property, or a rental property.

[0013] The search device 100 records search conditions entered by a user. At a predetermined timing, the search device 100 acquires search conditions that satisfy most recent conditions, which define the number of most recently entered search conditions, from the history of the recorded search conditions. The search device 100 searches for property information of real estate properties that match the acquired search conditions from real estate properties newly registered in the database. The search device 100 determines whether the searched real estate properties satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the real estate properties, and if it determines that the notification conditions are satisfied, notifies the user of new information including property information of the searched real estate properties.

[0014] If the search device 100 determines that the searched real estate property does not satisfy the notification conditions, it relaxes the most recent conditions (increases the number of acquisitions), acquires search conditions that satisfy the relaxed most recent conditions again, and searches for property information of real estate properties that match the acquired search conditions. The search device 100 repeatedly executes a series of processes, including relaxing the most recent conditions, acquiring search conditions, and searching for real estate properties, until it determines that the searched real estate property again satisfies the notification conditions.

[0015] The terminal 200 is an information terminal (so-called computer) such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC (Personal Computer) used by a user who uses the information providing service, and is capable of communicating with the search device 100 via the communication network 300.

[0016] For example, an application for using an information providing service may be installed in the terminal 200. The user can start the application, access the search device 100, input search conditions, and view property information that matches the search conditions or view new information transmitted from the search device 100. The user may start a browser (browser application) installed in the terminal 200, access the search device 100, and use the information providing service.

[0017] The terminal 200 accepts search conditions input from the user and transmits a search query to the search device 100 via the communication network 300, instructing the search device 100 to search for real estate properties.

[0018] An example of an input screen for inputting search conditions is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in the figure, input screen 210 includes pull-down forms F1 to F7 and buttons B1 to B8 for inputting search conditions, and a search button 21 for instructing a search. When the user inputs data into pull-down forms F1 to F7 or buttons B1 to B8 for at least one of the search items and clicks search button 21, terminal 200 generates a search query including the search conditions input by the user and transmits it to search device 100. Note that input screen 210 may have required fields and optional fields set in advance; for example, prefecture, line, and station name may be required fields and the rest may be optional fields.

[0019] 1, communication network 300 may include various types of networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a telecommunications network such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless network, a public switched network, a satellite network, a cellular network, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a private network, an ad-hoc network, an intranet, an optical fiber-based network, or any combination of these or other types of networks.

[0020] (Functional configuration of search device) Next, the functional configuration of the search device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The search device 100 includes a recording unit 110, a search condition storage unit 120, a database 130, a search unit 140, and a notification unit 150.

[0021] The recording unit 110 records the search conditions input by the user when performing a search. Specifically, when the recording unit 110 receives a search query from the terminal 200, the recording unit 110 records the search conditions included in the search query in the search condition storage unit 120 in association with the user ID of the user who owns the terminal 200 and the date and time when a search based on the received search query was performed.

[0022] The search condition storage unit 120 stores a search condition table that indicates a history of search conditions previously input by the user. An example of the search condition table is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in the figure, the search condition table includes a "user ID," which is information that uniquely identifies the user, a "search date and time" that indicates the date and time a search was performed, and "search conditions" that indicate the search conditions input by the user. The search conditions include, for example, items such as the type of property, prefecture, line, station name, travel time from the nearest station, price (rent), and area. The types and combinations of items included in the search conditions are arbitrary, and may further include other items such as the age of the building, floor plan, floor location, facility information, availability of parking or bicycle parking, whether pets are allowed, and whether musical instruments are allowed.

[0023] Database 130 stores information about the subject of a transaction. An example of database 130 is shown in FIG. 5. As shown, database 130 includes a "property ID," which uniquely identifies the real estate property being the subject of a transaction; a "property name," which indicates the name of the property; a "registration date," which indicates the date the property was registered; and "detailed information," which indicates detailed information about each real estate property. The detailed information includes items such as the property type, the property address, the train line, the nearest station, the travel time from the nearest station, the price, and the area. The types and combinations of items included in the detailed information are arbitrary. Similar to the search condition table shown in FIG. 4, the detailed information may further include other items such as the age of the building, the floor plan, the floor location, facility information, the presence or absence of parking or bicycle parking, whether pets are allowed, and whether musical instruments are permitted. Database 130 may also store property images, which are photographs of the interior and exterior of real estate properties, and floor plan images.

[0024] 3, the search unit 140 searches for a transaction target based on the search query received from the terminal 200. Specifically, the search unit 140 extracts property information of real estate properties that match the input search conditions (such as prefecture, line name, station name, and travel time from the nearest station) included in the search query from the database 130 illustrated in FIG.

[0025] The search unit 140 includes an acquisition unit 141 and an extraction unit 142, and searches for a transaction object to be notified to the user from among the transaction objects newly registered in the database 130.

[0026] The acquisition unit 141 acquires, at a preset timing, search conditions for each user that satisfy a most recent condition that defines the number of acquisitions of the most recently entered search conditions from the history of search conditions recorded in the search condition table illustrated in Fig. 4. For example, the acquisition unit 141 may acquire search conditions at regular intervals, such as every day, every three days, or every week, or may acquire search conditions when new property information is added to the database 130. For example, if the most recent condition is set to "number of acquisitions = 3," the acquisition unit 141 acquires, for each user, the three search conditions in descending order of the most recent search date and time.

[0027] The extraction unit 142 extracts, for each user, transaction objects that match the search criteria acquired by the acquisition unit 141 from among transaction objects newly registered in the database 130. Specifically, the extraction unit 142 references the database 130 illustrated in FIG. 5 and extracts property information of real estate properties whose registration dates are after the date and time when new information was last announced. That is, the extraction unit 142 extracts newly registered property information based on the date and time when new information was last announced. Next, the extraction unit 142 extracts, for each user, property information of real estate properties that match the search criteria acquired by the acquisition unit 141 from among the extracted real estate properties. The date and time of the announcement may be the search date and time of the search criteria table illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0028] The notification unit 150 notifies the user of new information including information related to the transaction objects extracted by the extraction unit 142. Specifically, the notification unit 150 determines whether the extraction result satisfies preset notification conditions. The notification conditions include a minimum number of real estate properties extracted by the extraction unit 142. If the number of extracted properties is equal to or greater than the minimum number (e.g., 1), the notification unit 150 determines that the notification conditions are satisfied.

[0029] When the notification unit 150 determines that the notification conditions are met, it generates new information including property information of the real estate property extracted by the extraction unit 142, and sends the generated new information to the terminal 200 by any method such as email, a message app, an in-app notification, or a push notification.

[0030] 6 shows an example of the latest information generated by the notification unit 150. As shown in the figure, the latest information 220 may include, for example, an exterior image 22 of the extracted real estate property, basic information (location, line, nearest station, time from the nearest station, year of construction (age), price (rent), area, layout, etc.), a link 23 for transitioning to a details page displaying detailed information about each real estate property, and a link 24 for transitioning to an inquiry page for inquiring about a real estate agent that handles the real estate property.

[0031] If the notification unit 150 determines that the real estate property extracted by the extraction unit 142 does not satisfy the notification conditions, it notifies the acquisition unit 141 and the extraction unit 142 to that effect. The acquisition unit 141 relaxes the most recent conditions and re-acquires search conditions that satisfy the relaxed most recent conditions. For example, the acquisition unit 141 increases the number of acquired most recent conditions from 3 to 5 and re-acquires search conditions from the search condition table illustrated in FIG. 4. Next, the extraction unit 142 extracts property information of real estate properties that match the re-acquired search conditions from the database 130 illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0032] The notification unit 150 repeatedly executes a series of processes, including relaxing the most recent conditions by the acquisition unit 141, acquiring search conditions, and extracting real estate properties by the extraction unit 142, until it determines that the notification conditions are met. Note that the notification conditions may include an upper limit value for the number of times that this series of processes is repeated, and the notification unit 150 may decide not to notify the user of new information when the number of times that the processes are repeated reaches the upper limit value.

[0033] (Physical configuration of search device) As shown in FIG. 7, the search device 100 having the functional configuration described above physically comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that executes processing according to a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 which is a volatile memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 which is a non-volatile memory, a memory unit 14 that stores data, an input unit 15 that accepts input of information, a display unit 16 that visualizes and displays information, and a communication unit 17 that transmits and receives information, all of which are connected via an internal bus 99.

[0034] The CPU 11 executes various processes by reading out the programs stored in the storage unit 14 into the RAM 12 and executing them. The CPU 11 executes each process by the recording unit 110, the search unit 140, the acquisition unit 141, the extraction unit 142, and the notification unit 150 as the main functions provided by the programs.

[0035] The RAM 12 is used as a work area for the CPU 11. The ROM 13 stores a control program executed by the CPU 11 for the basic operation of the search device 100, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System), and the like.

[0036] The storage unit 14 includes a hard disk drive, and stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and various data used when the programs are executed. The storage unit 14 functions as a search condition storage unit 120 and a database 130.

[0037] The input unit 15 is a user interface including a keyboard, a mouse, a communication device, etc. The display unit 16 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display that visualizes and displays information.

[0038] The communication unit 17 is a network termination device or a wireless communication device that connects to a network, and a serial interface or a LAN (Local Area Network) interface that connects to them.

[0039] (Search condition recording process) Next, the operation of the search device 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of search condition recording processing executed by the search device 100. In the search condition recording processing, the search device 100 performs a search based on a search query transmitted from the terminal 200, and records the search conditions included in the search query.

[0040] The search unit 140 accepts a search query from the terminal 200 and determines whether or not the search query has been received (step S101). Specifically, the user operates the terminal 200 to launch an information provision application pre-installed in the terminal 200 and access an input screen 210 for inputting search conditions, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The user inputs a condition for at least one item out of multiple items on the input screen 210 and clicks the search button 21 to instruct execution of a search. The terminal 200 generates a search query including the input search conditions and user ID, and transmits the search query to the search device 100.

[0041] When the search unit 140 receives a search query from the terminal 200 (step S101; Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when the search unit 140 does not receive a search query from the terminal 200 (step S101; No), the search unit 140 waits for a search query.

[0042] In step S102, the search unit 140 executes a search process based on the search query received in step S101 (step S102). Specifically, the search unit 140 extracts property information of real estate properties that match the search conditions included in the search query from the database 130 illustrated in FIG.

[0043] Next, the search unit 140 transmits the search results to the terminal 200 (step S103). Specifically, the search unit 140 generates a search result page showing a list of property information of the real estate properties extracted in step S102. The search unit 140 transmits the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the generated search result page to the terminal 200, and causes the terminal 200 to display the search result page.

[0044] Next, the recording unit 110 records the search conditions (step S104). Specifically, the recording unit 110 associates the search conditions included in the search query received in step S101 with the user ID and search date and time, and stores them in the search condition storage unit 120. The recording unit 110 adds a new record to the search condition table illustrated in Fig. 4, stores information in each of the fields "Search ID," "User ID," "Search Date and Time," and "Search Condition," updates the search condition table, and ends the search condition recording process.

[0045] (Notification processing) Next, a notification process performed by the search device 100 to notify the user of new information 220 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The notification process may be performed at set intervals, such as every day, every three days, or every week, or may be performed at a predetermined timing, such as when it is detected that property information about a new real estate property has been registered in the database 130.

[0046] The acquisition unit 141 acquires search conditions (step S201). Specifically, the acquisition unit 141 reads out the most recent conditions stored in the storage unit 14, and acquires search conditions that satisfy the most recent conditions from the history of search conditions previously input by the user to be processed, with reference to the search condition table illustrated in Fig. 4. For example, if the number of acquisitions = 3 is set in the most recent conditions, the acquisition unit 141 acquires three search conditions with the most recent search dates and times from the search conditions associated with the user ID of the user to be processed.

[0047] Next, the extraction unit 142 extracts property information of real estate properties that match the search conditions acquired in step S201 (step S202). Specifically, the extraction unit 142 searches the database 130 illustrated in Fig. 5, and extracts property information of each real estate property that matches the acquired search conditions.

[0048] Next, the notification unit 150 determines whether the notification conditions are met (step S203). Specifically, the notification unit 150 reads the notification conditions including the minimum number of real estate properties extracted in step S202 from the storage unit 14, and determines whether the number of properties extracted in step S202 is equal to or greater than the minimum number.

[0049] If the number of real estate properties extracted in step S202 is equal to or greater than the minimum number, the notification unit 150 determines that the notification conditions are met (step S203; Yes), and proceeds to step S204.

[0050] On the other hand, if the number of properties extracted in step S202 is less than the minimum number, the notification unit 150 determines that the notification conditions are not met (step S203; No), notifies the acquisition unit 141 that the notification conditions are not met, and proceeds to step S205.

[0051] In step S205, the acquisition unit 141 relaxes the most recent condition (step S205). For example, the acquisition unit 141 relaxes the most recent condition, which is to acquire three search conditions with the most recent search dates and times, to the most recent condition, which is to acquire five search conditions with the most recent search dates and times, according to a preset rule. Note that the method for relaxing the most recent condition is arbitrary, and the number of acquisitions may be increased by a predetermined number or by a predetermined multiple.

[0052] Next, the acquisition unit 141 returns to step S201 and acquires search conditions again based on the most recent conditions relaxed in step S205 (step S201). Next, in step S202, the extraction unit 142 extracts property information of real estate properties that match the search conditions reacquired in step S201 from the database 130 (step S202). Next, in step S203, the notification unit 150 determines whether the real estate properties reextracted by the extraction unit 142 satisfy the notification conditions.

[0053] In this way, the acquisition unit 141 and the extraction unit 142 repeatedly execute a series of processes, including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions, a process of acquiring search conditions, and a process of extracting property information of real estate properties, until the notification unit 150 determines in step S203 that the notification conditions are met. Note that the notification conditions may include an upper limit value for the number of times that the series of processes are repeated, and the notification unit 150 may determine not to notify the user of the new information 220 when it is determined that the number of times that the processes are repeated has reached the upper limit value.

[0054] Next, in step S204, the notification unit 150 generates new information 220 including property information of the real estate properties extracted in step S202 (step S204). For example, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the notification unit 150 generates new information 220 for each extracted real estate property, including an exterior image 22, property information, a link 23 to a detail page, a link 24 to an inquiry page, and the like.

[0055] Next, the notification unit 150 transmits the new arrival information generated in step S204 (step S206). Specifically, the notification unit 150 transmits the generated new arrival information to the terminal 200 by any method such as email, a message app, an in-app notification, or a push notification.

[0056] Next, the notification unit 150 determines whether or not the notification process has been executed for all users to be processed (step S207). If the notification unit 150 determines that the notification process has been executed for all users to be processed (step S207; Yes), the notification process ends.

[0057] On the other hand, if the notification unit 150 determines that there is an unprocessed user (step S207; No), the process returns to step S201, and executes the processes of steps S201 to S206 for the unprocessed user.

[0058] As described above, the search device 100 records search conditions included in a search query transmitted from the terminal 200 and, at a predetermined timing, acquires search conditions from the search condition history that satisfy the most recent conditions, which define the number of recently entered search conditions that have been acquired. The search device 100 searches for trading objects newly registered in the database 130 based on the acquired search conditions. The search device 100 repeatedly executes a series of processes, including relaxing the most recent conditions, acquiring search conditions that satisfy the most recent conditions, and searching for information provision objects that satisfy the search conditions, until the search results satisfy the notification conditions, to generate new information 220 and notify the user. Therefore, the search device 100 notifies the user of new information 220 based on the user's most recent interests, thereby making it possible to more appropriately notify the user of new information 220 that is likely to interest the user.

[0059] Furthermore, the search device 100 automatically records the search conditions included in the search query sent from the terminal 200 and uses them in the search to generate the latest information 220, which saves the user the trouble of explicitly setting the search conditions to be used in notifying the latest information 220.

[0060] (Variation) In the above embodiment, the acquiring unit 141 has been described as acquiring search conditions that satisfy a most recent condition that defines the number of most recently input search conditions acquired, but this is not limited to this. The acquiring unit 141 may classify the search conditions included in the search condition storage unit 120 into a plurality of groups based on implication relationships, select from the classified groups the group in which the search conditions included in the group were most recently input, and acquire the search conditions of the selected group that have the smallest inclusion range (the strictest conditions).

[0061] For example, the acquisition unit 141 may divide the search conditions into a plurality of groups g1, g2, . . . , g for each nearest station. G (G is a natural number). Here, the acquisition unit 141 classifies the groups into the order g1, g2, . . . , g G are determined in order of most recent search time within each group. i The search criteria p i,1 , p i,2 , ···p i,p[i] contains the implication relation p i,1 ⊂p i,2 ⊂ p i-1,p[i-1] ⊂p i,p[i] That is, the search condition p i,1 is group g i The condition with the smallest inclusion range is the search condition p i,p[i] is group g i This means that the condition has the widest inclusive range.

[0062] If the number of acquisitions included in the most recent condition is 3, the acquisition unit 141 extracts g1, g2, and g3, which have been searched recently, from the classified groups in step S201. Next, the acquisition unit 141 extracts the search condition p with the smallest inclusion range from each of the extracted groups g1 to g3. 1,1 , p 2,1 , p 3,1 Then, in step S202, the extraction unit 142 acquires the search criteria p 1,1 , p 2,1 , p 3,1 Simply search for property information for each real estate property that matches your criteria.

[0063] In addition, in the process of relaxing the most recent conditions in step S205, the acquisition unit 141 relaxes the most recent conditions p acquired in the previous acquisition process from each of the groups g1 to g3 classified in the previous acquisition process. 1,1 , p 2,1 , p 3,1 The search condition p with the next smallest inclusion range 1,2 , p 2,2 , p 3,2Then, until it is determined in step S203 that the notification conditions are met, a series of processes including relaxing the most recent conditions, obtaining search conditions, and extracting real estate properties may be repeatedly executed.

[0064] The method for grouping search conditions is arbitrary. For example, each search condition may be converted into a numerical vector, a similarity score may be calculated, and the search conditions may be classified using an arbitrary clustering method such as the K-means method or hierarchical clustering.

[0065] Furthermore, the search device 100 according to the above embodiment can be realized using a normal computer, not a dedicated device. For example, the search device 100 that executes the above processes may be configured by installing a program for executing any of the above processes on a computer from a recording medium storing the program on the computer. Furthermore, the search device 100 may be configured by multiple computers operating in cooperation with each other.

[0066] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned functions are realized by sharing the functions between an OS (Operating System) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and the application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the medium.

[0067] The program may also be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed via a communication network. For example, the program may be distributed through an application store (App Store) for smartphones, or posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication network and distributed via the network. These programs may then be launched and run under the control of an operating system in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-described processing to be performed.

[0068] Furthermore, the information stored in the storage unit 14 may be collectively managed by a cloud server present on the network, and the search device 100 may access the cloud server as needed to read and write information. In this case, the search device 100 does not need to include the search condition storage unit 120 and the database 130. Furthermore, the search condition recording process and notification process by the search device 100 may be performed on the cloud using information stored in the cloud server.

[0069] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0070] (Appendix 1) A search device that searches for a transaction object that matches a search condition input by a user from among a plurality of transaction objects registered in a database, a recording unit for recording the input search conditions; an acquisition unit that acquires, from the recorded search conditions, search conditions that satisfy most recent conditions for acquiring predetermined most recently input search conditions; an extraction unit that extracts trading objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new trading objects that are newly registered in the database; a notification unit that determines whether the extracted trading objects satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the trading objects, and if it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions, notifies the user of the extracted trading objects, and if it is determined that the extracted trading objects do not satisfy the notification conditions, repeatedly executes a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to obtain the search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions, until it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions; A search device comprising:

[0071] (Appendix 2) the acquisition unit, in the process of acquiring the search conditions by relaxing the most recent conditions, relaxes the most recent conditions by increasing the number of acquisitions, and acquires search conditions that satisfy the relaxed new most recent conditions. 2. The search device of claim 1.

[0072] (Appendix 3) the acquiring unit classifies the recorded search conditions into a plurality of groups based on entailment relationships, selects from the classified groups a number of groups including the most recently input search conditions, and acquires the search conditions from the selected groups. 2. The search device of claim 1.

[0073] (Appendix 4) The acquisition unit ranks the plurality of search conditions included in the classified groups in order of smallest inclusive range, and in a first process of acquiring search conditions that satisfy the most recent conditions, acquires the search conditions with the smallest inclusive range from the classified groups, and in a process of acquiring the search conditions by relaxing the most recent conditions, acquires the search conditions with the next smallest inclusive range from the classified groups after the search conditions acquired in the previous process of acquiring the search conditions. 4. The search device according to claim 3.

[0074] (Appendix 5) the notification condition includes an upper limit of the number of times the series of processes is to be repeatedly executed, The notification unit determines not to issue a notification when it determines that the number of times the series of processes has been executed has reached the upper limit value. 5. A search device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.

[0075] (Appendix 6) A computer searches for trading targets that match the search criteria entered by the user from multiple trading targets registered in a database, recording the input search criteria; A step of acquiring search conditions that satisfy a most recent condition for acquiring a predetermined most recently input search condition from the recorded search conditions; extracting transaction objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new transaction objects that have been newly registered in the database; a step of determining whether the extracted trading objects satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the trading objects, notifying the user of the extracted trading objects if it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied, and repeatedly executing a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to obtain the search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions if it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied; The search method to perform.

[0076] (Appendix 7) A computer searches for trading targets that match the search criteria entered by the user from multiple trading targets registered in a database. a process of recording the input search conditions; A process of acquiring search conditions that satisfy a most recent condition for acquiring a predetermined most recently input search condition from the recorded search conditions; A process of extracting trading objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new trading objects newly registered in the database; a process of determining whether the extracted trading objects satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the trading objects, notifying the user of the extracted trading objects if it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied, and repeatedly executing a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to obtain the search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions if it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions, until it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied; A program that executes the following.

[0077] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present invention can be suitably adopted in a search device, a search method, and a program that can more appropriately notify users of new information that is likely to be of interest to them. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 100 Search device, 200 Terminal, 300 Communication network, 110 Recording unit, 120 Search condition storage unit, 130 Database, 140 Search unit, 141 Acquisition unit, 142 Extraction unit, 150 Notification unit, 210 Input screen, 220 Latest information, 21 Search button, 22 Appearance image, 23, 24 Link, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8 Button, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7 Pull-down form, 11 CPU, 12 RAM, 13 ROM, 14 Memory unit, 15 Input unit, 16 Display unit, 17 Communication unit, 99 Internal bus

Claims

1. A search device that searches for a transaction object that matches a search condition input by a user from among a plurality of transaction objects registered in a database, a recording unit for recording the input search conditions; an acquisition unit that acquires, from the recorded search conditions, search conditions that satisfy most recent conditions for acquiring predetermined most recently input search conditions; an extraction unit that extracts trading objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new trading objects that are newly registered in the database; a notification unit that determines whether the extracted trading objects satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the trading objects, and if it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions, notifies the user of the extracted trading objects, and if it is determined that the extracted trading objects do not satisfy the notification conditions, repeatedly executes a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to obtain the search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions, until it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions; A search device comprising:

2. the acquisition unit, in the process of acquiring the search conditions by relaxing the most recent conditions, relaxes the most recent conditions by increasing the number of acquisitions, and acquires search conditions that satisfy the relaxed new most recent conditions. The search device according to claim 1 .

3. The acquisition unit classifies the recorded search conditions into a plurality of groups based on implication relationships, selects from the classified groups a number of groups including the most recently input search conditions, the number of groups to be acquired being defined by the most recent conditions, and acquires each of the search conditions from the selected groups. The search device according to claim 1 .

4. The acquisition unit ranks the plurality of search conditions included in the classified groups in order of smallest inclusive range, and in a first process of acquiring search conditions that satisfy the most recent conditions, acquires the search conditions with the smallest inclusive range from the classified groups, and in a process of acquiring the search conditions by relaxing the most recent conditions, acquires the search conditions with the next smallest inclusive range from the classified groups after the search conditions acquired in the previous process of acquiring the search conditions. The search device according to claim 3 .

5. the notification condition includes an upper limit of the number of times the series of processes is to be repeatedly executed, The notification unit determines not to issue a notification when it determines that the number of times the series of processes has been executed has reached the upper limit value. The search device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A computer searches for trading targets that match the search criteria entered by the user from multiple trading targets registered in a database, recording the input search criteria; A step of acquiring search conditions that satisfy a most recent condition for acquiring a predetermined most recently input search condition from the recorded search conditions; extracting transaction objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new transaction objects that have been newly registered in the database; a step of determining whether the extracted trading objects satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the trading objects, notifying the user of the extracted trading objects if it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied, and repeatedly executing a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to obtain the search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions if it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied; The search method to perform.

7. A computer searches for trading targets that match the search criteria entered by the user from multiple trading targets registered in a database. a process of recording the input search conditions; A process of acquiring search conditions that satisfy a most recent condition for acquiring a predetermined most recently input search condition from the recorded search conditions; A process of extracting trading objects that match any of the acquired search conditions from new trading objects newly registered in the database; a process of determining whether the extracted trading objects satisfy notification conditions including a minimum number of the trading objects, notifying the user of the extracted trading objects if it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied, and repeatedly executing a series of processes including a process of relaxing the most recent conditions to obtain the search conditions and a process of extracting trading objects that match any of the search conditions if it is determined that the extracted trading objects satisfy the notification conditions, until it is determined that the notification conditions are satisfied; A program that executes the following.

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