INFORMATION SEARCH SYSTEM

Abstract

An information search system according to the present invention is an information search system that includes a database that stores service support information and an information management device that is capable of searching for predetermined information from the service support information, and the information management device includes a query receiving unit that receives a query input that includes a keyword, from a search engine; a classification information receiving unit that receives a classification information input to which a restriction keyword belongs; a restriction keyword display unit that displays a restriction keyword belonging to the input classification information and having a correlative relationship to the keyword, in a selectable form;and a search execution unit that executes a search process. The search execution unit executes a search process through the database, based on the input keyword and the selected restriction keyword.

Description

The present invention relates to an information search system that is capable of efficiently searching for desirable information from a database that stores service support information. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION To search for desired information from a vast amount of support or service information, an appropriate keyword must be entered into the information search system. However, because it is difficult for those who lack sufficient knowledge or experience to enter an appropriate keyword, they may encounter the problem of being unable to find any desired information. Based on this background, Patent Literature 1 describes an information search system that is capable of finding desired information even when an inappropriate keyword is entered, by performing a search using words with similar meanings in addition to the entered keyword. List of Appointments Patent Literature Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Open to the Public No. 2019-121392 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem However, because the information search system, according to Patent Literature 1, performs a search using an entered keyword as well as words with similar meanings, depending on the entered keyword, the number of search results becomes enormous. As a result, even if some of the desired information is included in the search results, it takes a long time to identify the desired information by checking each result individually from the vast number of results. The present invention was made in consideration of the problem described above, and one objective of the present invention is to provide an information search system that is able to efficiently identify desirable information from a huge amount of support or service information. Solution to the Problem An information search system according to the present invention includes: a database configured to store service support information;and an information management device configured to search for predetermined information from the service support information, including the information management device a query receiving unit configured to receive a query input that includes a keyword, from a searcher, a classification information receiving unit configured to receive a classification information input to which a restriction keyword belongs, a restriction keyword presenting unit configured to present a restriction keyword belonging to the input classification information and having a correlative relationship to the keyword, in a selectable form, and a search executing unit configured to execute a search process, the unit that executes the search; RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi executes a search process through the database, based on the input keyword and the selected restriction keyword. Service support information may be facility maintenance information; the restriction keyword presented by the unit presenting the restriction keyword may be a keyword that has a correlative relationship with the keyword entry to the query reception unit in a facility maintenance service; and the unit presenting the restriction keyword may be configured to present two or more of the restriction keywords, along with their respective correlations. The information search system may also include a storage unit configured to store classification definition information that defines which of the plurality of pieces of classification information a specific restriction keyword belongs to. Advantageous Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information search system that is capable of efficiently identifying desirable information from the vast amount of service support information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information search system that is a modality of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram that illustrates an example of rules for folder names and file names Figure 3A is a schematic illustrating an example of classification information stored in a classification definition information storage unit. Figure 3B is a diagram that illustrates an example of a system (definitions) for creating words belonging to classifications. Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of keywords that determine the type of information stored in an information type determination dictionary. Figure 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of keywords stored in a keyword dictionary. Figure 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a sequence of an information search process that is a modality of the present invention. Figure 6A is a schematic illustrating an example of a first screen displayed on a display device. Figure 6B is a schematic illustrating an example of a second screen displayed on the display device. Figure 6C is a schematic illustrating an example of a third screen displayed on the display device. Figure 6D is a schematic illustrating an example of a fourth screen displayed on the display device. Figure 6E is a schematic illustrating an example of a fifth screen displayed on the display device. Figure 6F is a diagram illustrating an example of a sixth screen displayed in the RZfrznn / zznz / e / viAi display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A search system for information, which is a modality of the present invention, will now be explained. As an example of service support information, the following will explain facility maintenance service information in the manufacturing industry. In the following explanation, “facility maintenance service information” may sometimes be referred to simply as “information” or “data.” Configuration A configuration of an information retrieval system, a modality of the present invention, will now be explained with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information retrieval system, a modality of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 1, the information retrieval system, a modality of the present invention, includes an information management device 10 for managing information, a database 12 that stores a plurality of pieces of facility maintenance service information to be searched, a plurality of file servers 14, and a search terminal 20. The information management device 10, the database 12, the file servers 14, and the search terminal 20 are interconnected over a network 18. Network 18 is a communication network, such as a local area network (LAN), managed by an organization (company) to which a user belongs. However, Network 18 can also be a public communication network like the Internet, or a communication network that partially includes a public line, such as a wide area network (WAN) or a virtual private network (VAN). Each of the information management device 10 and the search terminal 20 is implemented by a computer and a computer program. Examples of search terminal 20 include a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a personal computer, and a tablet computer. An input device 22, such as a keyboard or mouse, and a display device 24, such as a screen, are connected to or integrated with the search terminal 20. The documents, such as reports and manuals, figures, and photographs stored on each of the 14 file servers, are collected and stored in database 12. These documents can be not only those originally produced by entering text, but also those created by converting text into text using a speech recognition engine, and those created by converting images of text on paper media into text data using an optical character reader (OCR). When figures and photographs are stored, they are stored in a format that allows the characters contained within the figures or their filenames to be searched. The information stored in database 12 includes information such as standards and work manuals related to equipment failures and problems, their causes, and solutions.In the present invention, it is assumed that the specific facilities are located in a plurality of regions (e.g., across a plurality of countries or prefectures) and that the file servers 14 are deployed in the respective regions. RZfrznn / zznz / e / viAi The information management device 10 includes an information recording unit 110, an information search unit 120, and several storage units (a keyword dictionary 50, a classification definition information storage unit 52, an information search storage unit 54, and an information type determination dictionary 56). In this embodiment, for ease of understanding, the configurations for implementing a recording function and a search function will be explained separately, since the information recording unit 110 and the information search unit 120 are separate, but one configuration can be used to perform both functions.Information logging unit 110 is configured to perform the logging function, as mentioned above, and more specifically, a process to store the information stored on file servers 14 in database 12. Information logging unit 110 includes information synchronization unit 112, information processing unit 114, and storage processing unit 116. Information synchronization unit 112 automatically synchronizes information stored in database 12 with information stored on file servers 14, either regularly or irregularly. When new data is stored on file server 14 but not in database 12, information synchronization unit 112 acquires the new data over network 18. Information processing unit 114 applies predefined data processing to the data acquired by information synchronization unit 112. In this data processing mode, information type information is appended to the data. Information type information indicates the type of information to which the document belongs.Information processing unit 114 identifies the type of information based on either or both of the folder where the document is stored on file servers 14 and the filename of the data, for example. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of rules for defining the names of the folders prepared on file servers 14 and the filenames of the data stored in the folders.When the type of information is identified on the basis of folders, for example, information processing unit 114 identifies, referring to Figure 2, the type of information of the data stored in the folder “failure reports” as “failure cases”; identifies the type of information of the data stored in the folders “work standards”, “creation procedures” and “safety documents” as “manuals”; identifies the type of information of the data stored in the folder “maintenance knowledge” as “maintenance knowledge”; identifies the type of information of the data stored in the folder “figures” as “figures”; identifies the type of information of the data stored in the folder “maintenance records” as “maintenance records”; and identifies the type of information of the data stored in the folder “operating standards” as “operating standards.”When the type of information is identified on the basis of filenames, as a result of a data creator creating a filename on the basis of the file creation rules identified in Figure 2, the information processing unit 114 is allowed to identify that a piece of data belongs to the “failure cases”, for example, on the basis of its filename, although the step-by-step explanation is omitted herein. RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi Regarding data processing, the information processing unit 114 also assigns classification information to a piece of data based on classification information stored in the classification definition information storage unit 52. Figure 3A is a schematic illustrating an example of the classification information stored in the classification definition information storage unit 52. As shown in Figure 3A, the classification information is defined based on the rules shown in Figure 3B, which determines which of a plurality of classifications a specific word belongs to.Figure 3A indicates that the word “abe” belongs to the classification “conditions” and has been assigned classification information “D51,” for example. Therefore, when a piece of acquired data contains the word “abe,” the classification information “D51” assigned to the word “abe” is appended to the piece's data. This assignment of classification information can be omitted, but by performing this process, a correlation calculation carried out by a correlation calculation unit 126, which will be described later, can be performed efficiently. Referring again to Figure 1, a storage processing unit 116 stores the data resulting from the data processing performed by the information processing unit 114 in database 12. The storage processing unit 116 divides the data into their respective information types and stores the data in database 12 (see Figure 1). The data can be stored in database 12 on a regular or irregular basis by the information recording unit 110 and also by a recorder via the search terminal 20, for example. When the data is recorded directly by a recorder, the rules indicated in Figure 2 are displayed on the screen operated by the recorder, on the display device 24 or similar device of the search terminal 20.In this way, the registrar can set an appropriate filename for the database, before the data is stored in database 12. The information search unit 120 searches for and extracts a specific piece of facility maintenance information from database 12, based on a search instruction from search terminal 20. The information search unit 120 includes a query reception unit 121, a language processing unit 122, a candidate search keyword reading unit 123, an information type determination unit 124, a classification information reception unit 125, a correlation calculation unit 126, a restriction keyword presentation unit 127, and a search execution unit 130. These functional blocks generally have functions that will be described below. The query reception unit 121 receives a query entered by a searcher via input device 22 of search terminal 20, over network 18. The query input format is not limited to a particular one and can consist of one or more words or text, and text can be in a natural language format. For example, a query that includes text such as “What is the solution to a failure that occurred in equipment BB at facility AA?” or a plurality of words delimited by a space, for example, is entered, for example, “equipment AA equipment BB” from search terminal 20. Language processing unit 122 extracts a word (independent word) RZfrznn / zznz / e / Yi / u applying language processing, such as morphological analysis, to the query received by query reception unit 121. Specifically, language processing unit 122 extracts the input search keywords to be used in a subsequent search and a keyword that determines the type of information to be used to determine the type of information that represents the intent (purpose) of the entered search. For example, when the query text “What is the solution to a failure that occurred in equipment BB at facility AA?” is entered, as in the example mentioned above, language processing unit 122 extracts “facility AA” and “equipment BB” as input search keywords.Language processing unit 122 also refers to the information type determination dictionary 56 (Figure 4A) and extracts a word that matches a word recorded in the information type determination dictionary 56 as the information type determination keyword. In other words, in the example above, language processing unit 122 extracts the terms “failure” and “solution” as the information type determination keywords. The next step is to explain the candidate search keyword reading unit 123, but before that, keyword dictionary 50 will be explained. In keyword dictionary 50, related keywords are pre-registered and stored in a mapped manner. In the current version, keywords with similar meanings are also registered in a mapped manner in keyword dictionary 50. However, in keyword dictionary 50, only keywords with the exact same meaning or only keywords with similar meanings can be registered. Instead of or in addition to these keywords, keywords that are highly likely to be correlated can be pre-registered in a mapped manner.The words listed in the keyword dictionary 50 can be added or removed as appropriate. Figure 4B illustrates an example of the keywords pre-registered in the keyword dictionary 50. In Figure 4B, keywords belonging to the same row (horizontal row) are those related to each other and map to each other. Each time the language processing unit 122 extracts an input search word, the candidate search keyword reader unit 123 refers to the keyword dictionary 50 and reads a keyword related to the input search keyword as a candidate search keyword. Following the example above, when “AA facility” is the input search keyword, the candidate search keyword reader unit 123 performs a match search through the keyword dictionary 50 illustrated in Figure 4B and reads all keywords belonging to the row containing “AA facility” (the first row in Figure 4B). Alternatively, when a designation has been made (e.g., only words with the same meaning), it reads keywords matching the designation as candidate search keywords.In this example, “OO installation”, “A'A' installation”, and “A”A”“ are read as words that have the same meaning, and “aaa” and “a'a'a'“ are read as words that have meanings similar to “AA installation”. Similarly, regarding “BB team” in the previous example, candidate search keyword reading unit 123 refers to the RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi second row in Figure 4B and read the relevant keywords as candidate search keywords. Search information storage unit 54 stores candidate search keywords acquired as described above, as well as information type determination keywords, such as search keywords. Search information storage unit 54 stores search keywords cumulatively, each time an additional query is entered and additional search keywords are extracted. The information type determination unit 124 determines the type of information the searcher intends to find, based on the information type determination keywords extracted from the query. This unit refers to the information type determination dictionary 56, illustrated in Figure 4A, and determines the type of information through which a search will be conducted, based on the information type determination keyword. In the information type determination dictionary 56, an expected information type determination keyword is extracted from the queries, and a corresponding information type is pre-registered in a mapped format.For example, in the information type determination dictionary 56, “failure cases” are recorded for the information type determination keywords “failure,” “similar case,” and “solution” as the information type, and “manuals” are recorded for the information type determination keywords “failure type” and “replacement procedure” as the information type, in a mapped manner. Although not illustrated in Figure 4A, for the information types “maintenance knowledge,” “figures,” “maintenance record,” and “operating standards” described above with reference to Figure 2, the corresponding information type determination keywords are stored in the information type determination dictionary 56. As described above, the information recording unit 110 (the storage processing unit 116 described above) classifies the information to be stored in the database 12 in advance, into groups A, B, C,... based on the types corresponding to the information. For example, in the example illustrated in Figure 1, information related to “failure cases” is stored in group A corresponding to the first type of information; information related to “manuals” is stored in group B corresponding to the second type of information; and information related to “figures” is stored in group C corresponding to the third type of information.Here, although not illustrated, information related to “maintenance knowledge,” information related to “maintenance records,” and information related to “operating standards” are stored in group D, corresponding to a fourth type of information; group E, corresponding to a fifth type of information; and group F, corresponding to a sixth type of information, respectively. When the information type determined by the information type determination unit 124 is not intended by the searcher, the searcher can change the information type by performing an operation. For example, in the example described above, group A, “failure cases,” is initially assigned the information type determination keywords “failure” and “solution” as the type. RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi information, but changing the information type to “manuals”, the searcher can search for the desired information from the information belonging to group B. When the keyword for determining the information type is extracted from the desired query, group A “failure cases” is assigned an initial information type, so that the searcher can change the information type as appropriate. The classification information reception unit 125 presents the classification to which the restriction keyword belongs in a selectable format. In the example described above, the search will be conducted using information belonging to group A, "failure cases," with "installation AA" and "equipment BB" (including words with the same meaning and those with similar meanings) as the search keywords. However, the number of search results can become enormous. To reduce the number of search results, it is necessary to use an additional keyword. The classification information reception unit 125, the correlation calculation unit 126, and a restriction keyword display unit, which will be described later, serve the function of assisting the searcher in adding a restriction keyword. The Classification Information Reception Unit 125 presents classifications in a selectable format. In this mode, a plurality of classifications, including “lines,” “facilities,” “equipment,” “parts,” “conditions,” and “causes,” are presented in a selectable format, for example, as a drop-down menu (see Figure 6C). The number of classifications is configured so that they can be added or modified as needed. The correlation calculation unit 126 calculates a correlation between a search keyword and each word belonging to the classification selected by the searcher in the classification information receiving unit 125. In this example, the correlation is calculated on the basis of the frequencies to which the search keyword and a word belonging to the classification appear simultaneously in the same report or the same manual, or on the basis of the number of times the search keyword and the word belonging to the classification are paired as search keywords stored in the search information storage unit 54. When there is a plurality of search keywords, the correlation is calculated for some or all of the search keywords, based on a selection made by the searcher. The restriction keyword presentation unit 127 presents each word belonging to the classification selected by the searcher in the classification information reception unit 125, along with the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation unit 126, to the searcher in a selectable format (e.g., see Figure 6D). The searcher can then select one or more restriction keywords by referring to the correlations. When a specific restriction keyword is selected by the searcher, the selected restriction keyword is additionally stored in the search information storage unit 54 as a search keyword. The search unit 130 performs the text-based matching search through the information stored in database 12, using the search keywords stored in the search information storage unit 54 (including RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi is the input search keyword extracted by the language processing unit 122 and the restriction search keyword selected by the searcher in the restriction search keyword presentation unit 127). In the present mode, the search execution unit 130 performs a text-based matching search with the search keywords described above, through the information between groups A, B, C,... in the database 12, the group being a group corresponding to the type of information determined by the information type determination unit 124. Information Search Process The following section will explain an operation of the information search system, specifically when the search unit 120 executes the information search process, with reference to Figures 5 and 6A through 6F. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of the information search process, which is a modality of the present invention. Figures 6A through 6F provide examples of screens displayed on the display device 24 of the searcher terminal 20. These screens are examples of application screens for using the information search system according to the present invention. The flowchart illustrated in Figure 5 begins when the searcher starts the aforementioned application on the search terminal 20, for example. In step S101, it is determined whether the query-receiving unit 121 has received a query. If a query has been received (Y in S101), system control proceeds to step S102.When the searcher starts the application, the screen illustrated in Figure 6A is displayed on the display device 24, for example. The searcher enters a query into the query space 200 via the input device 22. When the searcher enters a query into the query space 200 and selects (for example, clicks on) a submit icon 201, the receiving unit 121 receives a query. An example is now explained in which the receiving unit 121 receives the query text “What is the solution to a failure that occurred on the BB computer at facility AA?”. A history display area 300 is provided at the bottom of the screen and is configured to allow copying all or some of the queries entered into the query space 200 in the past, so that a range can be selected, copied from past queries, and pasted into the search space 200. Language processing unit 122 then extracts words (independent words) by performing natural language processing as a morphological analysis on the query text received by query reception unit 121 (Step S102). In this example, "installation AA, equipment BB, fault, and solution" are extracted from the query text: What is the solution to a fault that occurred in equipment BB at installation AA? Language processing unit 122 then extracts (selects) the input search keywords and extracts (selects) the information type determination keyword from the words extracted as a result of language processing (Step S103). In this example, language processing unit 122 extracts "installation AA" and "equipment BB" as the search keywords, refers to information type determination dictionary 56, and extracts (selects) "failure" and "solution" included in information type determination dictionary 56 as the information type determination keywords. The candidate search keyword reading unit 123 then refers to the RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi keyword dictionary 50 and reads keywords related to the input search keywords, such as candidate search keywords (Step S104). In this example, the candidate search keyword reading unit 123 refers to the keyword dictionary 50 illustrated in Figure 4B and reads the words with the same meaning and those with similar meanings in the first row to which facility AA belongs, which is an input search keyword extracted by the processor in Step S103, and the words with the same meaning and those with similar meanings included in the second row to which equipment BB belongs, as candidate search keywords. The input search keywords and candidate search keywords read by the candidate search keyword reading unit 123 are then stored in the search information storage unit 54 (Step S105). In this example, "installation AA," "team BB," and words with the same meaning and words with similar meanings and keywords are stored in the search information storage unit 54. Information type determination unit 124 then determines the information type (search intent) based on the information type determination keywords extracted in Step S103 and the information type determination dictionary 56 illustrated in Figure 4A (Step S106). In this example, "failure" and "solution" are extracted as the information type determination keywords, and therefore, information type determination unit 124 refers to the information type determination dictionary 56 and determines the failure cases to which the failure and solution are assigned as the information type. The information search unit 120 then presents classification information, along with a search period, the information type, and the input search keywords extracted and determined in the corresponding steps described above, on the display device 24, as shown in Figure 6B, for example, via the search terminal 20 (Step S107). On the display device 24, the information type, input search keywords, and classification information are presented in a selectable and deleteable format, allowing the searcher to make changes as needed. For example, when the information type needs to be changed, it can be selected using the input device 22.Like the search period, any period can be specified, and when no period is designated, a search can be performed across the entire period. A search keyword can be excluded from the words used in the search by removing a check mark from the checkbox located at the beginning of each keyword. In the search keyword display area, a keyword request icon (203) appears in a selectable shape, allowing you to request the addition of another similar keyword to the displayed keywords or the removal of an inappropriate keyword from those displayed as search keywords.The keyword for which an addition or deletion is requested may be added or deleted when the number of requests for an addition or deletion reaches a predetermined number, or it may be added or deleted as appropriate by the system administrator receiving the request. RZfrznn / zznz / e / Yi / u of addition or deletion. Although no designation is selected for the classification information in the initial state, for example, as illustrated in Figure 6B, it is configured to present a drop-down menu so that a desirable classification can be selected, as illustrated in Figure 6C, by performing an operation in this section using input device 22. An example is now explained in which no change is made to the type of information and the input search keywords, but the classification information is changed from no designation to conditions, in Figure 6B. When the classification information changes from "no designation" to another classification in Step S107—that is, when the unit receiving classification information 125 receives a classification other than "no designation" (Step Y in S108)—system control proceeds to Step S109. If the classification information is "no designation" (Step N in S108), system control proceeds to Step S113. In Step SI 09, correlation calculation unit 126 calculates the correlation between the search keyword selected by the searcher in Step S107 and each of the words belonging to the classification received by the classification information receiving unit 125. In this example, correlation calculation unit 126 calculates the correlation between both of the keywords "installation AA" and "equipment BB" and each of the words belonging to the classification "conditions." The unit displaying restriction keyword 127 presents the correlations calculated in Step S109, along with the corresponding words belonging to the classification received by the unit receiving classification information 125, as restriction keywords, as illustrated in Figure 6D, for example, on display device 24 via search terminal 20 (Step S110). The searcher can add one or more restriction keywords deemed appropriate, from among those presented or displayed on display device 24, to the search keywords. In the present explanation, it is now assumed that the word "abe," illustrated in Figure 6D, is added as a restriction keyword.The way in which the correlation is displayed is not limited to a particular mode and can be displayed using some forms (graphs), as illustrated in Figure 6D, or as numbers, as an example of another display mode. In Step S112, depending on whether the restriction keyword has been added in Step S110 (Step S111), the information search unit 120 presents the information type, input search keywords, and classification information to be extracted, determined or selected by the searcher in the respective steps described above, on the display device 24, via the search terminal 20. Specifically, if one or more restriction keywords are added to the keywords in Step S110, the screen that allows the restriction keywords to be recognized is displayed, as illustrated in Figure 6E, and if no restriction keyword is added to the keyword, the screen illustrated in Figure 6B is displayed. In response to a selection of a search icon 202 (see Figures 6B or 6E) on the display screen of the display device 24, the search execution unit 130 executes a search process through the information stored in the database 12. Specifically, the search execution unit 130 executes a text-based similarity search process through the information belonging to the group corresponding to the type of RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi selected information, from the information stored in database 12, based on the search keyword entered by the searcher and also on the restriction keyword, if any restriction keyword has been added (Step S113). At this point, when the information type is figures, the search execution unit 130 performs a search through either or both of the filenames given to the figures and the text information included as text data in the figures. Finally, the information search unit 120 presents the search results to the searcher's display device 24, as illustrated in Figure 6F (Step S114). On the search results screen illustrated in Figure 6F, when multiple pieces of information (documents) are found as a result of the search, the information is displayed according to a predetermined rule (for example, those stored most recently). However, information pieces with predetermined rating information are presented with higher priority than the predetermined rule. As an example of predetermined rating information, the number of stars assigned to "useful for solving problems" and "applications to rare problems" is illustrated in Figure 6F. This rating information can be provided by the searcher, and the rating can be selected by choosing the number of stars in their respective positions (in Figure 6F, any of the five stars).In the example illustrated in Figure 6F, the element "useful for problem-solving" is given 4 stars, and the element "applications to rare problems" is given 2 stars, in the information presented at the top. In the information presented in the second form from the top, the element "useful for problem-solving" is given 2 stars, and the element "applications to rare problems" is given 3 stars. When the number is higher, the ranking information indicates that the information is more useful. In this form, although two elements ("useful for problem-solving" and "applications to rare problems") are illustrated as rating information, the ranking information can be one of these two or can include three or more elements.When there is a plurality of elements in the rating information, the order in which the information is presented can be determined on the basis of the elements included in the rating information or all the elements included in the rating information (e.g., the total number of stars provided to these elements). According to the present invention, because the input search keyword is extracted from the query entered by the searcher, and the restriction search keyword is presented along with the correlation based on the input search keyword and the ranking of the restriction keywords, it is possible even for those who lack sufficient knowledge or are inexperienced to select an appropriate keyword as the restriction keyword. Then, the data required by the searcher can be extracted precisely from the database, based on the input search keyword and the restriction keyword, and thus the search can be executed efficiently. In this way, when a failure or problem occurs, the searcher can efficiently retrieve information that can be used as a reference, such as a past case, from the database by entering the condition as text.Therefore, the search engine can perform the function quickly. RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi a recovery operation for the installation failure, based on the information sought. Explained in the previous modality is an example of an information search system for facility maintenance service information in the manufacturing industry, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a question and answer (Q&A) information search system in general, such as a system for searching for information that indicates a treatment depending on the conditions of the disease or the name of a disease or a system for searching for information that indicates the name of errors explained or presented on machinery, such as a car or the appropriate solution to a condition. The previous method explains an example where data is stored in groups corresponding to the respective information types in database 12, and a search is performed based on the information type, as well as the input search keyword and the restriction keyword. However, it is also possible not to group the data according to information types or not to use the information type as a reference in the search. According to the current method, as described above, it is possible to use the restriction keyword, the restriction search keyword, and the input search keyword, and therefore it is possible to efficiently search for and extract desired information without performing a search based on the information type. In Figure 6A, it is assumed that previous queries entered by the searcher are displayed in the history display area 300. The default number of previous queries displayed depends on the size of the history display area 300. Therefore, queries can be configured to be downloaded as separate logs when the searcher wishes to identify previous queries not displayed in the history display area 300. The log can be downloaded from a default settings screen (for example, a settings screen for searcher information or similar, which is not illustrated), and the searcher can acquire a piece of log data of their own search behavior (their own behavior, as well as that of others when a searcher is an administrator with system administrator privileges) over a certain period of time.The log data contains various operations performed by the searcher, i.e., search conditions (such as queries, search periods and restriction keywords), information on the data viewed, information on operations to provide a ranking and the like. One embodiment of the present invention, as developed by the inventors, has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the descriptions and figures that constitute the embodiment of the present invention. In other words, other embodiments, examples, operating technologies, and the like developed by those skilled in the art based on the embodiment will all fall within the scope of the present invention. Industrial Applicability According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information search system that is capable of efficiently identifying desirable information from a vast amount of data. RZfrznn / zznz / e / YiAi amount of service support information. List of Reference Signs: information management device, database, file servers, network, search terminal, input device, display device, keyword dictionary, information storage unit, classification definition, search information storage unit, information type determination dictionary 110 information registration unit 112 information synchronization unit 114 information processing unit 116 storage processing unit 120 information search unit 121 consultation reception unit 122 language processing unit 123 candidate search keyword reading unit 124 unit of determination of the type of information 125 classification information reception unit 126 correlation calculation unit 127 unit that features the restriction keyword 130 execution unit the search

Claims

1. An information search system characterized in that it comprises: a database configured to store service support information; and an information management device configured to search for predetermined service support information, the information management device including a query receiving unit configured to receive a query input that includes a keyword, from a searcher, a classification information receiving unit configured to receive a classification information input to which the restriction keyword belongs, and a restriction keyword display unit configured to display a restriction keyword belonging to the input classification information and having a correlative relationship with the keyword.In a selectable form and an execution unit, the search is configured to run a search process. The execution unit executes a search process through the database, based on the selected input keyword and restriction keyword.

2. The information search system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the service support information is facility maintenance information, the restriction keyword presented by the restriction keyword presenting unit is a keyword that has a correlative relationship with the keyword entered into the query reception unit in a facility maintenance service, and the restriction keyword presenting unit is configured to present two or more of the restriction keywords, together with their respective correlations.

3. The information search system according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a storage unit configured to store classification definition information that defines which of a plurality of pieces of classification information a specific restriction keyword belongs to.

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