JP2002183210A - Contents retrieving method in retrieval server and computer-readable recording medium with its program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents retrieving method in a retrieval server capable of displaying retrieval results that are easily understandable by a user. SOLUTION: The grouping part 15 of the information retrieval server 1 performs editing processing of a retrieval results list (41) outputted from an information retrieving part 14 and generates a retrieval results list (42), and a Web server 11 transmits the retrieval results list (42) to a user computer 3. When the retrieval results list 42 is interpreted by the Web browser of the user computer 3, groups are once displayed, and a hyperlink for referring to contents belonging to any group of the displayed groups is displayed when the group is clicked.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a search method and a recording medium in a search server when a search server searches content on a network and displays the content on a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information retrieval server (also referred to as a retrieval server) for retrieving contents from a network has been operated and provided for the convenience of users.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of a conventional information search server.

[0004] The information search server 100 shown in FIG. 13 is connected to a content server 2 storing contents and a user computer 3 used by a user via a computer network 4 for providing a communication service.

[0005] The information retrieval server 1 executes a predetermined program, thereby causing the web server 11 and the information registration unit 1 to execute.
2, the information storage unit 13 and the information search unit 14 are made to function.

[0006] The information search server 100 collects and accumulates metadata indicating the content of the content as a content outline. Then, a search result list including a hyperlink is provided to the user computer 3 that has input a search keyword (hereinafter, a keyword). Thereby, the user can access the content server 2 and refer to the content.

More specifically, as shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 14, for example, in the case where a registration type engine is provided, the web server 11 transmits the keyword registered from the content server 2 in step S51. , Step S
When the information is transferred to the information registration unit 12 in step S53, the information registration unit 12 associates the URL with the information storage unit 13 in step S55.
To be stored.

[0008] Step S61 from the user computer 3
When the keyword is input at step S63, the web server 11 transfers the keyword to the information search unit 14 at step S63. The information search unit 14 searches the information storage unit 13 in step S65, and obtains a search result in step S67. Then, in step S69, when the html file including the hyperlink is output to the web server 11 as a search result list, the web server 11 transfers this to the user computer 3 in step S71, and for example, a screen as shown in FIG. , And display it on a web browser.

[0009] Therefore, when the user computer 3 requests the content server 2 to refer to the content in step S73 by clicking on the hyperlink in the line starting with the ☆ mark, the content is transmitted from the content server 2 and is sent to the web browser. Referenced.

[0010] The information search server provided with the collection type engine operates in the same manner as described above except that the robot determines and stores the keyword of the content.

[0011]

However, in the conventional content search method in the search server, the emphasis is on displaying hyperlinks. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The searched hyperlink is displayed from the same column position on the screen and is displayed from the beginning. Also, groups are not displayed as a tree structure. Therefore, the user cannot easily determine the relevance and commonality between the contents, and as a result, it takes time to refer to the target content. Further, in FIG. 15, for example, when "entertainment>music" is selected, another screen is switched, so that the hierarchy cannot be grasped. That is, in the related art, the display is rather difficult to understand for the user due to such processing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content search method in a search server capable of displaying search results that are easy for a user to understand. is there.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content search method in a search server, wherein a keyword is input from a web browser of a user computer at the time of a search request. A procedure for once displaying a group to which the content corresponding to the keyword belongs in a web browser, and a hyperlink for referring to the content belonging to the group when any of the displayed groups is designated by the web browser. And generating a search result list including the procedure of displaying the search result list on the web browser, and supplying the generated search result list to the user computer, so that a display that is easy for the user to understand is performed on the web browser.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a keyword is input from a web browser of a user computer at the time of a search request, a group to which the content corresponding to the keyword belongs is once displayed on the web browser. And when any of the displayed groups is specified in the web browser, a hyperlink for referring to the content belonging to the group is displayed in the web browser, and the specified group is specified again. Generating a search result list including the step of hiding the displayed hyperlink, and supplying the generated search result list to the user computer. I want to do .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the content search method of the search server according to the second aspect, the search result list associates the number of contents belonging to the group with the group. By displaying the content, the number of contents belonging to the group is notified to the user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the content search method in the search server according to the second or third aspect, the search result list includes a color corresponding to the number of contents belonging to the group. By displaying the group with, the user can intuitively recognize the number of contents belonging to the group. Specifically, a color is given to a group name, an icon symbolizing the group, and the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content search method in the search server according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the search result list indicates a content overview. Calculated from the number of occurrences of the keyword in the summary, the number of multiple types of keywords that appeared once or more in the content summary, the numerical value obtained by weighting each item in the content summary, and the number of occurrences of the keyword in each item , Or a number obtained by calculating two or more of these numbers is the degree of matching,
By displaying the maximum matching degree in association with the group, it is possible to efficiently search for content that meets the purpose of the user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the content search method in the search server according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, in the content search method in the search server according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, When the number obtained from the number of times of reference is the degree of reference, by displaying the highest degree of reference in association with the group, it is possible to efficiently search for popular content.

A content search method in a search server according to claim 7 of the present invention is the content search method in the search server according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the search result list includes a lower group belonging to a group. Is displayed to make the hierarchical structure of the group more understandable.

A computer-readable recording medium in which a content search program is recorded in the search server according to the present invention corresponds to the keyword when a keyword is input from a web browser of a user computer at the time of a search request. A procedure for once displaying a group to which a content belongs on a web browser, and a procedure for displaying a hyperlink for referring to the content belonging to the group when any of the displayed groups is specified by the web browser By generating a search result list including, and by recording the content search program characterized by supplying the generated search result list to the user computer, using any search server, The effects of the present invention can be obtained. It has been cut way.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network environment including an information search server 1 according to a first embodiment, which is a search server of the present invention. The information search server 1 is a computer that accumulates metadata indicating the contents of contents as a contents outline, and searches these by keywords. The content server 2 is a computer that accumulates content and makes it available for reference. The user computer 3 is a computer of a user for searching and referring to contents by using an installed web browser. The computer network 4 is a network for providing a communication service between these computers. The information search server 1, the content server 2, and the user computer 3 are connected via a computer network 4 and can communicate with each other.

However, the content server 2 and the user computer 3 shown in FIG. 1 show one of many for the sake of explanation. The content server 2 includes, for example, a database server called an electronic art museum or an electronic library.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration and a use form of the information search server 1. The information search server 1 is configured the same in other embodiments described later.

The information search server 1 executes a predetermined content search program to execute a web server 11
The information registration unit 12, the information storage unit 13, and the information search unit 14 are made to function in the information search server 1, and the grouping unit 15, the group information storage unit 16, and the group information registration unit 17 are combined in the information search server 1. Let it work.

In the information retrieval server 1, the web server 11
Communicates with the content server 2 and the user computer 3 using the http protocol. Further, the information registration unit 12 stores information of the content server 2 received by the web server 11 from the content server 2 in the information storage unit 13.
Further, the information storage unit 13 performs a process of searching the information storage unit 13 by a keyword input via the web server 11 and embedding a tag (also referred to as a hyperlink) for referencing content in the search result ( Such data is called hypertext), and the processing result is transferred to the grouping unit 15.

The group information registration unit 17 stores and registers the information input from the content server 2 via the web server 11 in the group information storage unit 16. Information storage unit 1
Information retrieval unit 1 based on the information obtained by inquiring
Search result list (hypertext) transferred from 4
Is actually edited in the search result list in order to actually transmit the search result list to the user computer 3, and the web server 11 transmits this to the user computer 3.

The information search server 1 includes an information search unit 1
4 to the grouping unit 15, the search result list itself can be transmitted to the user computer 3.

The content server 2 shown in FIG. 2 has a terminal (a personal computer, a workstation, or the like) equipped with a web browser in addition to a database holding the content.
The information retrieval server 1 can be accessed by operating the terminal and allowing a content manager or the like to access the information retrieval server 1.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the information search server 1. The information search server 1
In FIG. 4, it is assumed that data obtained by summarizing the content in the content server 2 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this data is referred to as “content outline” for distinction from the content itself.

First, when the operator of the content server 2 intends to register (add) a group name (also referred to as group information) to a content summary that summarizes the content in the content server 2,
The information retrieval server 1 is accessed from the terminal configured as described above (referred to as terminal 21).

In step S1, the web server 11 performs group information registration processing in accordance with an instruction from the content server 2. Specifically, for example, the content server 2
The list of the contents and the group is displayed on the web browser of the terminal 21 to associate the content outline with the group name. Then, the associated content outline and group name are transferred to the group information registration unit 17 in step S3, and the group information registration unit 17 stores the information in the group information storage unit 16 in step S5.

Also, when the operator of the content server 2 intends to add and register a keyword to the content outline, the operator accesses the information retrieval server 1 from the terminal 21 of the content server 2. Then, the web server 11
Performs a keyword registration process in accordance with an instruction from the terminal 21 in step S7. Specifically, for example, the terminal 21
The content list is displayed on the web browser of the above, and the inputted keyword is associated with the content outline. When the associated information is transferred to the information registration unit 12 in step S9, the information registration unit 12
Stores this in the information storage unit 13.

Note that the content outline may be associated with the keyword at the same time as the association between the content outline and the group name.

Further, when the group information (group name) and the keyword are associated with the content outline, FIG.
As shown in the table, the content name, UR
A content table in which the L, the group name, and the keyword are associated with each other is created in the information storage unit 13. further,
As shown in FIG. 6, the group "Mount Fuji" belongs to the group "Mountain", the group "Fruit" to the group "Food",
A group table is created in the group information storage unit 16 by describing the hierarchical structure of groups such as “bread” and “fish dishes”.

Returning to FIG. 3, a process for a search request from a user using a keyword will be described.

When, for example, the keyword "Fuji" is input on the web browser screen of the user computer 3 in step S13, the web server 11 proceeds to step S1.
In step 5, this keyword is transferred to the information retrieval unit 14.

In step S17, the information search unit 14 searches the information storage unit 13, and in step S19, the information storage unit 1
3 to obtain the search result. Then, a hyperlink is embedded, and the search result list 41 shown in FIG. 7 is output to the grouping unit 15 in step S21. FIG.
The search result list 41 shows the display result on a web browser to facilitate understanding, and is actually output in a hypertext format.

The grouping unit 15 determines in step S23
When the group information storage unit 16 requests group information (group table), the group information storage unit 16 supplies the group table illustrated in FIG. 6 to the grouping unit 15 in step S25. Next, the grouping unit 1
5 is a step S27, the search result list 4 shown in FIG.
1 is edited to generate a search result list 42. Note that the search result list 42 also shows a display result on a web browser to facilitate understanding, and is actually generated in a hypertext format.

Next, in step S29, the grouping unit 15 outputs the search result list 42 to the web server 11 as an edited result. Subsequently, in step S31, the web server 11 stores the search result list 41 in the user computer 3.
Transfer to

As shown in FIG. 7, the search result list 42
When interpreted by the web browser of the user computer 3, first, the group name of the group to which the content corresponding to the keyword “Fuji” belongs, for example, the group “mountain”, “fruit”, “sumo”, etc. Display a list. At this point, the hypertext for the content is not yet displayed, so that more group names can be displayed on the web browser. Information that cannot be displayed is displayed by the scroll function.

When one of the groups, for example, the group “fruit” is clicked with a mouse or the like on a web browser, the search result list 42 displays the contents “fuji” and “apple” belonging to the group. Web browser displays a hyperlink for referring to "?". In other words, hyperlinks and groups belonging to the group are developed in the web browser. The expanded hypertext is hidden by clicking the group to which the hypertext belongs again. Therefore,
The user is no longer bothered by hyperlinks that are no longer needed.

In the search result list 42, icons are associated with groups and hyperlinks and displayed to enhance the visibility. Also, hyperlinks with icons are displayed with line breaks and indentation on the display line of the group specified by clicking, making it easier to imagine the hierarchical structure and the relevance between groups and hyperlinks It becomes obvious at a glance.

When the user clicks on the hyperlink, the web browser of the user computer 3 transmits a content reference request (http packet including a URL) to the content server 2 in step S41 of FIG. In step S43, 2 transmits the requested content to the user computer 3.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in the user computer 3, when the keyword "Fuji" is input, first, only the group name is displayed. The hyperlink to the content belonging to the group is expanded and displayed. Therefore, the user can know as many groups corresponding to the keyword as possible before seeing the hyperlink. Therefore, the relevance of various contents on the Internet can be quickly known. In addition, since the processing is performed on the same screen instead of switching the screen, the number of operations for moving the hierarchy is reduced, and the burden on the user is reduced.

Further, the number of scroll operations and screen switching operations on the web browser can be reduced, and the burden on the user can be reduced. In particular, the convenience for the user using the display device having a small screen area is remarkably improved.

In the first embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9B, the lower group B and the like belonging to the group A and the like are recorded in the group table, and the search result list 42 shows that the lower group belongs to the designated group as shown in FIG. In this case, the lower group name is displayed, so that the user can know both the hyperlink belonging to the group and the group. Further, since the size of the search result list can be made relatively small, traffic and consumption of computer resources (memory and the like) can be suppressed low.

[Other Embodiments] In the first embodiment, the search result list 42 generated by the grouping unit 15 in the form of the hypertext is simply a group name at the stage of displaying the list of group names in the web browser. The names are displayed. As shown in FIG. 10A, the number of contents belonging to each group displayed in a list is displayed in association with the group name, for example, on the same line or following the group name. The search result list can be configured as described above. This allows the user to know the number of contents belonging to the group before displaying the hyperlink.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the search results are displayed such that icons of colors corresponding to the number of contents belonging to each group displayed in a list are associated with the group names and displayed on the same line, for example. Lists can also be constructed. This makes it possible to intuitively know the number of contents belonging to the group before displaying the hyperlink.

The group name may be displayed in a color corresponding to the number of contents belonging to each group displayed in the list.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, a search result list can be configured so that the degree of matching between a keyword and content is displayed in association with a group.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the degree of matching is determined by a keyword (a in the figure, a
aa) can be the number of appearances.

Also, since a plurality of types of keywords may be input, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the contents are not included in the plurality of types of keywords (in the figure, three types of bbb, ccc, and ddd). It can be the number of occurrences that occur more than once in the summary. Also, as shown in FIG.
Each item in the content summary "title", "author",
Numerical value "6 points (hereinafter p
t) ”,“ 3pt ”,“ 1pt ”and the number of appearances of the keyword in each item“ 0 ”,“ 1 ”,“ 3 ”, for example, multiplying each numerical value by each number to obtain a product, Furthermore, the sum obtained by adding the obtained products may be used as the degree of matching. Further, a number obtained by calculating two or more of these numbers can be used as the matching degree. Further, the matching degree displayed in association with the group may be the highest matching degree obtained from the outlines of the contents belonging to the group.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the number of times a hyperlink is clicked is recorded for each content as the number of times of reference to the content, and the recorded number of times of reference or the number obtained from the number of times of reference is referred to. Fig. 12
As shown in (b), the search result list is displayed so that the maximum reference degree obtained from the outline of the contents belonging to the group is displayed in association with the group name, for example, on the same line or following the group name. Can also be configured. Specifically, the degree of reference can be obtained by calculation as a percentage of the highest number of references.

Thus, the user can know the group including the frequently referenced content before displaying the hyperlink. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently search for popular contents.

The content search program can be distributed by storing it in a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a magnetic tape. Therefore, by setting the recording medium in an arbitrary search server, reading the program, and executing the program, the same operation as the present invention works, and as a result, the same operation and effect can be obtained by the search server. it can. Also, the content search program can be distributed via a network. Therefore, if this program is transmitted and sold via the Internet or the like, the effects of the present invention can be enjoyed at a remote location regardless of the recording medium.

[0058]

As described above, according to the content search method in the search server according to the present invention, the group to which the content corresponding to the keyword belongs is once displayed on the user computer, and any of the displayed groups is displayed. When designated, information for referring to the content belonging to the group is displayed, so that search results that are easy for the user to understand can be displayed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network environment including an information search server 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an information search server 1.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the information search server 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating contents of the contents server 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a content table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a group table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of editing a search result list.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a web browser.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a group table. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a display screen based on a search result list.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a method of displaying the number of contents. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a search result in which icons in colors according to the number of contents are displayed.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a method of displaying the degree of matching. FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram in the case where the number of appearances of the keyword is set as the matching degree. FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram in the case where the number of types of keywords that appear once or more is set as the matching degree. FIG. 11D is an explanatory diagram in the case where the number obtained by weighting each item of the content outline is used as the matching degree.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing the number of times content is referred to; FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a display method of the reference degree obtained from the number of times of reference to the content.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a network environment including a conventional information search server.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional information search server.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a method of displaying search results in a conventional search server.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information search server 2 Content server 3 User computer 4 Computer network 11 Web server 12 Information registration part 13 Information storage part 14 Information search part 15 Grouping part 16 Group information storage part 17 Group information registration part 41, 42 Search result list

Claims (8)

[Claims] When a keyword is input from a web browser of a user computer at the time of a search request, a procedure for temporarily displaying a group to which content corresponding to the keyword belongs on a web browser, and any one of the displayed groups is displayed on the web browser. Displaying a hyperlink on the web browser to refer to the content belonging to the group when specified by the browser,
Generating a search result list including the following, and supplying the generated search result list to the user computer. 2. When a keyword is input from a web browser of a user computer at the time of a search request, a procedure for temporarily displaying a group to which content corresponding to the keyword belongs on a web browser, and any one of the displayed groups is displayed on the web browser. A procedure for displaying a hyperlink for referring to the content belonging to the group when specified by the browser on the web browser, and for hiding the displayed hyperlink when the specified group is specified again; and And generating a search result list including the following, and supplying the generated search result list to the user computer. 3. The content search method according to claim 2, wherein the search result list displays the number of contents belonging to the group in association with the group. 4. The content search method according to claim 2, wherein the search result list displays the group in a color corresponding to the number of contents belonging to the group. 5. The search result list includes: the number of appearances of a keyword in a content outline indicating an outline of the content; the number of occurrences of a plurality of types of keywords at least once in the content outline; and each item in the content outline. If the number obtained by calculation from the numerical value obtained by weighting and the number of occurrences of the keyword in each item, or the number obtained by calculating two or more of these numbers is the degree of matching, the maximum match 5. The content search method in a search server according to claim 2, wherein the degree is displayed in association with a group. 6. The search result list, wherein when the number of times of reference to the content or the number obtained from the number of times of reference is the reference degree, the maximum reference degree is displayed in association with the group. 6. A content search method in the search server according to any one of 2 to 5. 7. The content search method in a search server according to claim 2, wherein the search result list displays a lower group belonging to a group. 8. When a keyword is input from a web browser of a user computer at the time of a search request, a procedure for temporarily displaying a group to which content corresponding to the keyword belongs on a web browser, and one of the displayed groups is displayed on the web browser. Displaying a hyperlink on the web browser to refer to the content belonging to the group when specified by the browser,
A computer-readable recording medium in which a content search program is recorded in a search server, wherein a search result list including the following is generated and the generated search result list is supplied to the user computer.