Search device

Abstract

To provide a search device, a search method, and a program.SOLUTION: A search device 300 acquires a search key on the basis of a previous search result. The search device 300 includes: a linking search unit 321 which accepts a user's operation on an operation input unit, an input from an external device, or the like to acquire information indicating a return key indicating an item as a search object and a database as a search destination in a search using the search key, or the like and uses various accepted information to search the database as the search destination; and an output unit 322 which outputs a result of the search made by the linking search unit in a state where the results of a series of searches are linked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Techniques used when searching a database are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a document search device including a document database storing document data, a search engine performing document search of the document database, a graphical user interface module performing interface control for visual operation of information, a related integration module performing integration processing of related information with respect to information of search results by the search engine, a document attribute display management module performing display management of document attributes, and a related feedback management module managing evaluation information of search result information and controlling display information of the document when related feedback is performed. Further, according to Patent Document 1, the document search device further includes a search result information presentation means for collectively presenting information of documents with high relevance based on relevance degree information between documents in the search result at the time of presenting the search result in the document search.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When multiple departments build specialized databases to achieve their respective objectives, there may be several databases with slightly different information stored within them. For example, in such a case, attempting to search across databases required repeatedly searching one database and then using the search results to search other databases. This resulted in a time-consuming search process.

[0006] For example, as described above, a problem arose in that searching could be time-consuming. Furthermore, this problem of time-consuming searches could also occur even with a single database, for instance, if it were necessary to repeatedly perform searches based on the search results.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a search device, a search method, and a program that solve the problem of potentially being time-consuming during the search process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve this objective, a search device, which is one form of this disclosure, A linked search unit that obtains past search results as search keys and performs a search using the obtained search keys, An output unit that outputs the search results from the linked search unit, has This is the structure it takes.

[0009] Furthermore, other forms of this disclosure, such as search methods, Information processing device, Past search results are obtained as search keys, and a search is performed using the obtained search keys. The search results will be displayed. This is the structure it takes.

[0010] Furthermore, other forms of this disclosure, such as program, In an information processing device, Obtain past search results as search keys and perform a search using the obtained search keys, Output the search results It is a program for realizing the processing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to each configuration as described above, the labor involved in searching can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining the outline of the search device in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the search device. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of an information group. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of connection result information. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of rule information. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining an example of the processing of the connection search unit. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example at the time of key selection. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example at the time of information group selection. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example at the time of information group addition. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of the display of the connection search result. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example at the time of rule saving. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an operation example of the search device. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the search device in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the search device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the search device 100. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the search device 100. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of an information group 141. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of linked result information 142. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of rule information 143. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing by the linked search unit 152. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example when a key is selected. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example when an information group is selected. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example when an information group is added. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display of linked search results. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example when a rule is saved. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the search device 100.

[0014] In the first embodiment of this disclosure, a search device 100 that performs a search on the information group 141 will be described, as shown in Figure 1. As will be described later, when the search device 100 in this embodiment obtains a search result, it obtains a search key corresponding to the obtained search result. Then, the search device 100 performs a new search using the obtained search key. In this way, the search device 100 performs a linked search that connects to past searches by utilizing past search results. Furthermore, when outputting search results, the search device 100 can output the search results of a series of searches, including linked searches, in a linked manner.

[0015] Furthermore, the search device 100 described in this embodiment can store a series of search flows corresponding to multiple linked searches as rules, in response to user input and other factors. For example, the search device 100 can store as rules information such as information indicating the target database, information indicating the items used as search keys, and information indicating the items used as return keys for the 1st to nth searches (where n is any number). The search device 100 can also perform multiple searches (including linked searches) in a manner that conforms to the rules stored in advance.

[0016] In this embodiment, as an example, we will describe a case in which the information group 141 is composed of multiple databases. For example, the databases included in the information group 141 were created by different departments or other entities for different purposes, and the contents stored in each database are also tailored to their respective purposes. Therefore, the databases included in the information group 141 can store data that matches the data stored in other databases included in the information group 141, while also storing data that is not stored in other databases included in the information group 141. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to cases in which the information group 141 is composed of multiple databases. Therefore, the information group 141 may consist of, for example, a single database.

[0017] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the search device 100. Referring to Figure 2, the search device 100 has as its main components, for example, an operation input unit 110, a screen display unit 120, a communication I / F unit 130, a storage unit 140, and an arithmetic processing unit 150.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an example where the functions of the search device 100 are realized using a single information processing device. However, the search device 100 may be realized using multiple information processing devices, for example, by being implemented on the cloud. Furthermore, the search device 100 may not have some of the configurations exemplified above, such as not having an operation input unit 110, and may have configurations other than those exemplified above. For example, the search device 100 may be configured to perform searches on a group of information 141 stored in an external storage device.

[0019] The operation input unit 110 consists of an operation input device such as a keyboard or mouse. The operation input unit 110 detects the operation of the user operating the search device 100 and outputs it to the calculation processing unit 150. For example, the operation input unit 110 may be used when inputting search keys, or when making user selections as explained with reference to Figures 7 to 11.

[0020] The screen display unit 120 consists of a screen display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The screen display unit 120 can display various information stored in the storage unit 140 on the screen in response to instructions from the arithmetic processing unit 150.

[0021] The communication interface unit 130 consists of a data communication circuit. The communication interface unit 130 performs data communication with external devices connected via a communication line.

[0022] The storage unit 140 is a storage device such as a hard disk or memory. The storage unit 140 stores processing information and programs 144 necessary for various processes in the arithmetic processing unit 150. The programs 144 are read into the arithmetic processing unit 150 and executed to realize various processing functions. The programs 144 are pre-read from external devices or recording media via data input / output functions such as the communication I / F unit 130 and stored in the storage unit 140. The main information stored in the storage unit 140 includes, for example, information groups 141, linked result information 142, and rule information 143.

[0023] The information group 141 includes a database that stores data containing one or more items (attributes). In this embodiment, the information group 141 is composed of multiple normalized databases.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of information group 141. Referring to Figure 3, for example, information group 141 includes a number management database 1411, a person relationship database 1412, and a case management database 1413. Note that Figure 3 shows an example of the databases included in information group 141, and the databases included in information group 141 are not limited to those illustrated in Figure 3. For example, information group 141 may include only one or two databases, or it may include four or more databases.

[0025] Here, the number management database 1411 is a database for managing arbitrary numbers such as employee numbers, membership numbers, vehicle numbers, and registration numbers. For example, the number management database 1411 stores data with items such as the number, the name of the person with the number, and the address of the person with the number. The person relationship database 1412 is a database for managing relationships between people, such as people belonging to the same department or people with whom some kind of conflict of interest has arisen. For example, the person relationship database 1412 stores data with items such as the name, the name of the person related to the person with the name, and the address of the person related to the person with the name. The incident management database 1413 is a database for managing arbitrary incidents and events such as events and incidents that have occurred. For example, the incident management database 1413 stores data with items such as the name or identification information of the incident, the names of the people involved in the incident, and detailed information about the incident. Furthermore, the number of individuals related to a person or case may be one, zero, or multiple.

[0026] For example, as described above, the databases included in information group 141 store items and content that overlap with other databases for some items, such as people's names and addresses. In addition, some of the databases included in information group 141 store items that other databases do not store, such as detailed information about cases.

[0027] The concatenation result information 142 shows the results of a series of searches, such as the results of a concatenation search that uses past search results as search keys. In other words, the concatenation result information 142 shows the search results according to the number of searches, such as concatenation searches. For example, the concatenation result information 142 is updated according to the results of searches (including concatenation searches) performed by the search unit 151 or the concatenation search unit 152. The information contained in the concatenation result information 142 may be deleted at any time, such as when a concatenation search is completed or when the rules described later are saved.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an example of the information included in the linked result information 142. Referring to Figure 4, the linked result information 142 includes, for example, information about the search source, such as the search key used when the search unit 151 initially performed the search; information corresponding to the search results obtained by the search unit 151 according to the search key; and information corresponding to the linked search results performed by the linked search unit 152. In addition, the information corresponding to the search results and the information corresponding to the linked search results includes, for example, information indicating the target database and information indicating the items and content returned as search results.

[0029] For example, in the case illustrated in Figure 4, the linked result information 142 includes information indicating that the search source was the number "0123". Furthermore, the linked result information 142 includes information indicating that the database searched during the first search was the number management database, and that the search results for the items "Number Name" and "Number Address" yielded "Nichiden Taro," "Tokyo...", and "Nichiden Hanako," "Chiba...". Additionally, in the case illustrated in Figure 4, the linked result information 142 includes information corresponding to the results of the second and third linked searches.

[0030] Note that Figure 4 shows an example of the information included in the linked result information 142, and the information included in the linked result information 142 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 4. For example, the linked result information 142 may include information indicating items and content corresponding to the search keys used in each search.

[0031] Rule information 143 indicates information that represents a search rule, which is a series of search steps performed by the search unit 151 and the linked search unit 152. For example, rule information 143 is updated when the rule storage unit 153 saves a series of search steps as a rule in response to an operation on the operation input unit 110.

[0032] Figure 5 shows an example of the information included in rule information 143. Referring to Figure 5, rule information 143 includes, for example, the rule name, information describing the rule, and information indicating the scope of disclosure.

[0033] Here, the information indicating the rule represents a series of search steps. For example, the information indicating the rule includes search source information, information group information that indicates the database to be searched, search key information that indicates the items used as search keys, and return key information that indicates the items used as return keys. For example, the information indicating the rule includes the above information corresponding to the number of searches that make up the rule. In addition, the information indicating the scope of disclosure indicates the scope to which the rule is made public, such as "only me," "my department," "my section," or "my division." Note that the rule name and the information indicating the scope of disclosure are selected and entered by the user when saving the rule, for example, as will be described later.

[0034] Note that Figure 5 shows an example of rule information 143, and the information included in rule information 143 is not limited to that exemplified in Figure 5. Rule information 143 may include information other than that exemplified above.

[0035] The arithmetic processing unit 150 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and its peripheral circuits. The arithmetic processing unit 150 reads and executes a program 144 from the storage unit 140, thereby realizing various processing functions by having the hardware and the program 144 cooperate. Examples of the main processing functions realized by the arithmetic processing unit 150 include a search unit 151, a linked search unit 152, a rule storage unit 153, a rule search unit 154, and an output unit 155.

[0036] The search unit 151 performs a search on the information group 141. The configuration of the search unit 151 may be general in nature.

[0037] For example, the search unit 151 receives input from an external device via user operation input unit 110 or communication interface unit 130, etc., to acquire search queries including search keys that indicate the search target and information indicating the target database. Then, the search unit 151 searches the target database based on the acquired information. The search unit 151 then stores the search results in the concatenated result information 142. Furthermore, the search results by the search unit 151 can be displayed on the screen display unit 120 by output unit 155, etc., or transmitted to an external device via communication interface unit 130, etc.

[0038] The linked search unit 152 performs a linked search, which is a search linked to past searches, by utilizing the search results from the search unit 151 and the linked search unit 152.

[0039] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the overview of linked search performed by the linked search unit 152. Referring to Figure 6, when the linked search unit 152 performs the nth search, it obtains the result of the previous (n-1)th search as the search key. The linked search unit 152 also obtains information such as a return key indicating the item to be searched in a search using the search key, and information indicating the database to be searched, by receiving input from external devices via user operations on the operation input unit 110 or via the communication I / F unit 130. The linked search unit 152 then uses the obtained information to search the database to be searched from the information group 141. For example, by performing a search, the linked search unit 152 obtains information on the item indicated by the return key among the information associated with the search key in the database to be searched. The linked search unit 152 also stores the search result in linked result information 142. Furthermore, if multiple search results are found in the (n-1)th search, the linked search unit 152 may accept the user's selection of the search result to be used as the search key from among the multiple search results, for example, by receiving input from an external device via the user's operation input unit 110 or the communication I / F unit 130. In addition, the search results from the linked search unit 152 can be displayed on the screen display unit 120 by, for example, the output unit 155, or transmitted to an external device via the communication I / F unit 130.

[0040] Figures 7 to 11 show examples of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) used when the linked search unit 152 performs a linked search. First, referring to Figure 7, when performing a linked search, the linked search unit 152 displays a linked search (batch search) dialog 210 on the screen display unit 120 or the like for selecting keys (or candidates). At this time, the linked search unit 152 can retrieve the results of the previous search and display them in the search key selection field 211 within the linked search (batch search) dialog 210. For example, in the example shown in Figure 7, "Niden Taro" and "Niden Hanako" are displayed in the search key selection field 211. This corresponds to the fact that "Niden Taro" and "Niden Hanako" were searched for in the previous search. The linked search unit 152 also accepts the selection of search results from the search results displayed in the search key selection field 211 to be used as search keys in the next search, in response to the user checking checkboxes on the search key selection field 211. The linked search unit 152 may accept the selection of candidate search results to be used as search keys when the user checks multiple checkboxes. The linked search unit 152 also displays items stored in each database included in the information group 141, for example, in the return key selection field 212. The linked search unit 152 then accepts the selection of an item to be used as a return key from the items displayed in the return key selection field 212, in response to the user checking checkboxes in the return key selection field 212. The linked search unit 152 may accept the selection of candidate items to be used as return keys when the user checks multiple checkboxes. Furthermore, after the selection of a search key or return key (or selection of candidates), the linked search unit 152 displays the linked search (batch search) dialog 220 for database selection, as shown in Figure 8, on the screen display unit 120 or the like, in response to the user clicking the database selection button 213.

[0041] The linked search unit 152 displays information about the databases selected through the database addition process described later, as well as return keys, in the information group field 221 within the linked search (batch search) dialog 220. The linked search unit 152 then accepts the user's selection of the database to be searched for in the next search from among the databases displayed in the information group field 221, such as checking the checkboxes on the information group field 221.

[0042] The process of adding information groups is described below. The linked search unit 152 starts the process of adding the information groups described above in response to the user clicking the add button 222 in the linked search (batch search) dialog 220. For example, when the user clicks the add button 222, the linked search unit 152 displays the linked search (batch search) dialog 230 for adding databases, as shown in Figure 9, on the screen display unit 120 or the like. Here, the linked search unit 152 displays the names of each database included in the information group 141 in the database name field 231 of the linked search (batch search) dialog 230. In addition, the linked search unit 152 displays information on the display field 232 corresponding to the selected database in response to the user checking the checkboxes on the database name field 231. The linked search unit 152 can display information on the display field 232, including information about the selected database, as well as information about search keys and return keys. If candidates have been selected in the linked search (batch search) dialog 210, the linked search unit 152 can identify the search key and return key to be used for the search from among the candidates, depending on the user's selection in the display field 232. For example, in the example shown in Figure 9, "Nichiden Taro" has been identified as the search key and the item "Name" has been identified as the return key. After the user makes a selection in the database name field 231 or the display field 232, the linked search unit 152 accepts the selection of the database to be added, depending on whether the user clicks the database add button 233. As a result, the linked search unit 152 displays information about the selected database name and return key in the information group field 221 within the linked search (batch search) dialog 220.

[0043] Furthermore, after selecting a database by checking a checkbox on the information group field 221, the linked search unit 152 executes a search process using the various input information, depending on whether the user clicks the execute button 223. In other words, the linked search unit 152 uses the database selected on the information group field 221 as the search destination and executes a search process using the search key to obtain information on the item indicated by the return key. The linked search unit 152 then stores the search result as linked result information 142 in the storage unit 140. For example, the linked search unit 152 updates the linked result information 142 so that the series of search results are linked together.

[0044] Referring to Figure 10, the results of the linked search performed by the linked search unit 152 can be displayed in the result display field 241 of the linked search (batch search) results 240 by the output unit 155, etc. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the results of the linked search performed by the linked search unit 152 are displayed (output) in a linked state where the results of a series of searches are linked together. In cases where multiple linked searches are performed, the search results are expected to become horizontally long. Therefore, when the output unit 155 displays the results of a series of searches linked together in the result display field 241 based on the linked result information 142, it may collapse the results of intermediate searches and display them in the result display field 241.

[0045] Clicking the linked search (batch search) button 242 within the linked search (batch search) results 240 returns to the process illustrated in Figure 7. In other words, the linked search unit 152 displays the linked search (batch search) dialog 210, with the latest search results displayed in the search key selection field 211, on the screen display unit 120 or the like. This starts the process for performing another linked search. Additionally, clicking the add rule button 243 within the linked search (batch search) results 240 starts the rule saving process performed by the rule saving unit 153.

[0046] For example, when a user clicks the Add Rule button 243, the rule storage unit 153 identifies the search source information, which indicates the search source; the information group information, which indicates the database to be searched; the search key information, which indicates the items used as search keys; and the return key information, which indicates the items used as return keys, in the series of search flows. The rule storage unit 153 also accepts input from the user for the rule name and publication range by displaying a rule storage diagram 250, as shown in Figure 11, on the screen display unit 120 or the like. For example, after inputting into the rule name input unit 251 and the publication range input unit 252, the rule storage unit 153 accepts input for the rule name and publication range in response to the user clicking the save button 253. After accepting the input for the rule name and publication range, the rule storage unit 153 associates the accepted information with the identified rule and stores it in the storage unit 140 as rule information 143. The rule storage unit 153 may be configured to store the rule information 143 in the storage unit 140 after obtaining approval from the appropriate department or person depending on the scope of disclosure.

[0047] The above are examples of GUIs used when the linked search unit 152 performs a linked search and when the rule saving unit 153 saves a rule. Figures 7 to 11 show examples of GUIs, and the GUI is not limited to those exemplified in Figures 7 to 11.

[0048] As described above, the rule storage unit 153 stores a series of search flows as rules in the storage unit 140. For example, the rule storage unit 153 receives instructions from a user or the like to save rules, along with information indicating the rule name and the scope of publication. The rule storage unit 153 then associates the rule name, the information indicating the scope of publication, and the information indicating the rule which is a series of search flows, and stores it in the storage unit 140 as rule information 143. The rule storage unit 153 may also be configured to obtain approval from the appropriate department or person depending on the scope of publication before storing the rule information 143 in the storage unit 140. Whether or not approval is required and who approves it may be predetermined for each scope of publication.

[0049] The rule search unit 154 performs a search according to the rules stored as rule information 143, in response to instructions from the user. In other words, the rule search unit 154 performs a series of search processes in accordance with the rules stored as rule information 143. To put it another way, the rule search unit 154 performs the number of search processes indicated by the rules. The rule search unit 154 then stores the results of the series of searches performed in accordance with the rules as concatenated result information 142 in the storage unit 140. Furthermore, the results of the rule search performed by the rule search unit 154 in accordance with the rules can be displayed on the screen display unit 120 by the output unit 155, etc., or transmitted to an external device via the communication I / F unit 130.

[0050] The output unit 155 outputs the search results. For example, the output unit 155 can display the search results from the search unit 151, the linked search unit 152, the rule search unit 154, etc., on the screen display unit 120, or transmit them to an external device via the communication I / F unit 130. In this embodiment, when the output unit 155 outputs the search results from the linked search unit 152 or the rule search unit 154, it can output a series of search results in a linked state.

[0051] The above is an example of the configuration of the search device 100. Next, with reference to Figure 12, an example of the operation of the search device 100 when performing a linked search will be described.

[0052] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the search device 100. Referring to Figure 12, the linked search unit 152 acquires a search key based on the previous search results (step S101). If there are multiple search results (step S102, Yes), the linked search unit 152 accepts the selection of the search result to be used as the search key (step S103).

[0053] The linked search unit 152 receives input from external devices via user operations on the operation input unit 110 or via the communication I / F unit 130, etc., to acquire information such as a return key indicating the item to be searched in a search using a search key, and information indicating the database to be searched (step S104).

[0054] The linked search unit 152 uses the received information to search the target database among the information group 141 (step S105). For example, by performing a search, the linked search unit 152 obtains information on the item indicated by the return key from the information associated with the search key in the target database. Then, the linked search unit 152 stores the search result in the linked result information 142.

[0055] The output unit 155 outputs the search results from the concatenation search unit 152 (step S106). The output unit 155 can output the search results from the concatenation search unit 152 in a concatenated state.

[0056] If a linked search is to be performed next (step S107, Yes), the linked search unit 152 returns to the process in step S101. That is, it obtains a search key based on the result of the previous linked search. On the other hand, if the linked search is to be terminated (step S107, No), the search device 100 accepts input as to whether or not to save the rule (step S108).

[0057] If a rule is to be saved (step S108, Yes), the rule saving unit 153 stores the series of search flows as a rule in the storage unit 140 (step S109). For example, the rule saving unit 153 receives a rule saving instruction from a user or the like, along with information indicating the rule name and the scope of publication. The rule saving unit 153 then associates the rule name, the information indicating the scope of publication, and the information indicating the rule which is the series of search flows, and stores it in the storage unit 140 as rule information 143.

[0058] If rule saving is not performed (step S108, No), or after the processing in step S109, the search device 100 terminates the process.

[0059] Thus, the search device 100 has a search unit 151 and a linked search unit 152. With this configuration, the linked search unit 152 can perform linked searches that connect to past searches by utilizing the search results of the search unit 151 and the linked search unit 152. This makes it easy to perform new searches that utilize the results of past searches, and reduces the effort required during searches.

[0060] Furthermore, the search device 100 includes a rule storage unit 153 and a rule search unit 154. With this configuration, the rule storage unit 153 can store a series of search flows as rules. The rule search unit 154 can perform searches in accordance with the rules stored by the rule storage unit 153. This allows for searches that utilize past search flows, such as automatically performing searches in accordance with a series of searches performed by an experienced user by storing the sequence of searches performed by the experienced user as rules. As a result, more appropriate searches can be performed, such as more efficient searches.

[0061] In this embodiment, an example configuration of the search device 100 has been described. However, the configuration of the search device 100 is not limited to that described in this embodiment. For example, the linked search unit 152 may utilize the results of the selection in the linked search (batch search) dialog 210 when displaying the names of each database included in the information group 141 in the database name field 231 of the linked search (batch search) dialog 230. For example, the linked search unit 152 may be configured to sort the names of each database displayed in the database name field 231 according to the results of the selection in the linked search (batch search) dialog 210. In other words, for example, the linked search unit 152 may pre-assign points to each item of the search key and return key, and sort the names of each database displayed in the database name field 231 so that the database deemed more appropriate is positioned higher up, according to the selected combination of search key and return key. The linked search unit 152 may sort using methods other than those exemplified above.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where one search key or return key is specified in the linked search (batch search) dialog 230 is illustrated. However, the linked search unit 152 may be configured to specify multiple search keys or return keys. In addition, the linked search unit 152 may have functions other than those illustrated in this embodiment, such as having a CSV button for performing a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) search.

[0063] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, an overview of the configuration of the search device 300, which is an information processing device, will be described.

[0064] Figure 13 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the search device 300. Referring to Figure 13, the search device 300 has the following hardware configuration as an example. ·CPU(Central Processing Unit)301(Arithmetic unit) ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 (Storage Device) • RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 (storage device) • Program group 304 loaded into RAM303 • Storage device 305 for storing the program group 304 • Drive device 306 for reading and writing to the recording medium 310 outside the information processing device. • Communication interface 307 that connects to the communication network 311 outside the information processing device. • Input / output interface 308 for data input and output. • Bus 309 connecting each component

[0065] Furthermore, the search device 300 can realize the functions of the linked search unit 321 and output unit 322 shown in Figure 14 by having the CPU 301 acquire the program group 304 and execute it. The program group 304 is, for example, stored in advance in the storage device 305 or ROM 302, and the CPU 301 loads it into RAM 303 or the like and executes it as needed. Alternatively, the program group 304 may be supplied to the CPU 301 via the communication network 311, or it may be stored in advance in the recording medium 310, and the drive device 306 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 301.

[0066] Figure 13 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the search device 300. The hardware configuration of the search device 300 is not limited to the case described above. For example, the search device 300 may consist of only a part of the configuration described above, such as not having a drive device 306.

[0067] The linked search unit 321 obtains past search results as search keys and performs a search using the obtained search keys.

[0068] The output unit 322 outputs the search results from the linked search unit 321.

[0069] Thus, the search device 300 has a linked search unit 321. With this configuration, the linked search unit 321 can acquire past search results as search keys and perform searches using the acquired search keys. This makes it easy to perform new searches that utilize the results of past searches, and reduces the effort required during searches.

[0070] Furthermore, the information processing device such as the search device 300 described above can be realized by incorporating a predetermined program into the information processing device. Specifically, another form of the present invention is a program that enables the information processing device to perform a process that acquires past search results as a search key, performs a search using the acquired search key, and outputs the search result.

[0071] Furthermore, the search method performed by the information processing device described above involves the information processing device obtaining past search results as search keys, performing a search using the obtained search keys, and outputting the search results.

[0072] Even an invention such as a program (or recording medium) or a search method having the above-described configuration can achieve the objectives of the present invention because it has the same functions and effects as the search device 300 described above.

[0073] <Note> Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows. The following outlines the search device and other components of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the following configuration.

[0074] (Note 1) A linked search unit that obtains past search results as search keys and performs a search using the obtained search keys, An output unit that outputs the search results from the linked search unit, has Search device. (Note 2) The search device described in Appendix 1, The linked search unit receives input of information indicating a return key that represents the item to be searched, and performs a search using the acquired search key and the return key. Search device. (Note 3) A search device as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, The output unit outputs the search result in which the series of search results from the concatenated search unit have been concatenated. Search device. (Note 4) A search device described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 3, It has a rule storage unit that stores a series of search flows performed by the linked search unit as a rule. Search device. (Note 5) The search device described in Appendix 4, The rule storage unit stores information as a rule that includes search source information indicating the search source, search key information indicating the item used as the search key, and return key information indicating the item used as the return key. Search device. (Note 6) A search device as described in Appendix 4 or Appendix 5, The rule storage unit stores rules that include information indicating the database to be searched. Search device. (Note 7) A search device described in any one of the items from Appendix 4 to Appendix 6, The aforementioned rule storage unit stores the rules along with information indicating the scope of rule disclosure. Search device. (Note 8) A search device described in any one of the items from Appendix 4 to Appendix 7, The aforementioned rule storage unit has a rule search unit that performs a search in accordance with the rules stored by the rule storage unit. Search device. (Note 9) Information processing device, Past search results are obtained as search keys, and a search is performed using the obtained search keys. The search results will be displayed. How to search. (Note 10) In an information processing device, Past search results are obtained as search keys, and a search is performed using the obtained search keys. The search results will be displayed. A program to perform the processing.

[0075] The programs described in each of the above embodiments and appendices are stored in a storage device or recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the recording medium is a portable medium such as a flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made within the scope of the present invention as can be understood by those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 Search device 110 Operation Input Section 120 Screen display section 130 Communication I / F Section 140 Storage section 141 Information group 1411 Number Management Database 1412 People Relationship Database 1413 Case Management Database 142 Consolidation result information 143 Rule Information 144 Programs 150 Arithmetic Processing Unit 151 Search Section 152 Linked Search Unit 153 Rule Storage Section 154 Rule Search Section 155 Output section 210 Linked Search (Batch Search) Dialog 211 Search Key Selection Field 212 Return Key Selection Field 213 Database Selection Button 220 Linked Search (Batch Search) Dialog 221 Information Group Section 222 Add button 223 Execute button 230 Linked Search (Batch Search) Dialog 231 Database Name Column 232 Display field 233 Add Database Button 240 Linked Search (Batch Search) Results 241 Result display field 242 Linked Search (Batch Search) Button 243 Add Rule Button 250 Rule Saving Diagrams 251 Rule Name Input Section 252 Public Access Scope Input Section 253 Save button 300 search devices 301 CPU 302 ROM 303 RAM 304 Program Groups 305 Storage device 306 Drive unit 307 Communication Interface 308 Input / Output Interfaces Bus 309 310 Recording media 311 Communication Network 321 Linked Search Unit 322 Output section

Claims

1. A search unit that performs a search on a database designated as the search target from a group of information, A linked search unit acquires a search result selected by the user from among multiple search results obtained by the search unit as a search key, accepts the selection of a return key indicating the item to be searched in the search using the search key, and performs a search on the database selected as the search target from the information group based on the search key and the return key. An output unit that outputs the search results from the search unit and the linked search unit, A rule storage unit that stores the series of search flows performed by the search unit and the linked search unit as a rule, It has, The linked search unit is configured such that, after performing a search by the linked search unit, it obtains a search result selected by the user from among the multiple search results obtained by the linked search unit as the search key, and then uses the obtained search key to perform a search on the same or a different database than the one used in the previous search. The rule storage unit, upon receiving input indicating that a rule should be saved after a search by the linked search unit, saves information as a rule that includes search source information indicating the search source, search key information indicating the item used as the search key, and return key information indicating the item used as the return key, corresponding to a series of searches using the search unit and the linked search unit. Search device.

2. A search device according to claim 1, The rule storage unit stores rules that include information indicating the database to be searched. Search device.

3. A search device according to claim 1, The aforementioned rule storage unit stores the rules along with information indicating the scope of rule disclosure. Search device.

4. A search device according to claim 1, The aforementioned rule storage unit has a rule search unit that performs a search in accordance with the rules stored by the rule storage unit. Search device.

5. In an information processing device, A search unit that performs a search on the database designated as the search target from the information group, A linked search unit acquires a search result selected by the user from among multiple search results obtained by the search unit as a search key, accepts the selection of a return key indicating the item to be searched in the search using the search key, and performs a search on the database selected as the search target from the information group based on the search key and the return key. An output unit that outputs the search results from the search unit and the linked search unit, A rule storage unit that stores the series of search flows performed by the search unit and the linked search unit as a rule, To make it happen, The linked search unit is configured such that, after performing a search by the linked search unit, it obtains a search result selected by the user from among the multiple search results obtained by the linked search unit as the search key, and then uses the obtained search key to perform a search on the same or a different database than the one used in the previous search. The rule storage unit, upon receiving input indicating that a rule should be saved after a search by the linked search unit, saves information as a rule that includes search source information indicating the search source, search key information indicating the item used as the search key, and return key information indicating the item used as the return key, corresponding to a series of searches using the search unit and the linked search unit. program.

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