JP2007265425A - Input auxiliary device, information search device, input supporting method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input auxiliary device that helps a user input to rapidly acquire a search result when information search does not advance. <P>SOLUTION: The input auxiliary device includes: an input unit 101 for receiving an input of a search keyword; a search advance management unit 102 for monitoring the search condition of a search keyword; a search condition presentation unit 110 for acquiring and representing an appropriate search condition according to the input search keyword when an input operation does not advance, the search condition presentation unit 110 has: a category acquisition unit 104 for acquiring the type of the search keyword input from a category-based knowledge storage unit 103; a search method acquisition method 106 for acquiring the search method name capable of searching the type of the acquired search keyword from a search method storage unit 105 and a display unit 108 for displaying the acquired search method name, the search advance management unit 102 judges that the input operation does not advance when there is a user operation passing through the same menu hierarchy over prescribed frequencies. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input assist device and method for assisting input of search conditions in an information search device, and more particularly to a technique for assisting user input when information search does not proceed.

  Conventionally, as a technique for assisting in inputting search conditions in an information search apparatus, when a dialogue with a user does not proceed, a word to be recognized is examined, and voice input is performed by illustrating one or more of these words. A voice interaction device that outputs voice guidance prompting the user to the user is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). Further, there is also disclosed an interactive processing device that can estimate a type (category) of an unknown word and display a list of words belonging to the estimated type when an unknown word is included in the input sentence (Patent Document). 2).

Furthermore, for each concept classified hierarchically, a word belonging to the concept and a question that can be used for the search are prepared in advance, and when the user inputs a search request sentence or a word, the word extracted therefrom A search support device that presents a question according to the concept to which the user belongs and guides the user to perform a search using the question is disclosed (see Patent Document 3).
JP-A-11-212594 Japanese Patent No. 3468572 JP 2004-102818 A

  However, the above-described conventional voice interaction device outputs one or more recognition target words and voice guidance for prompting voice input to the user, but the word that the user wants to input during the output voice guidance. Is not exemplified, there is a problem that the user cannot understand whether the user can input a word that the user wants to input.

  For example, after asking the user “Please give the team name” from the spoken dialogue device side, if the user does not make any input within a certain period of time, the voice dialogue device side again reads “Like a giant, Hiroshima, etc.” ”Is output, but the user cannot understand whether the team name“ Yankees ”can be input, and cannot obtain sufficient assistance for advancing the search.

  In addition, since the conventional dialogue processing device displays a list of words belonging to the estimated unknown word type, when there are a plurality of estimated unknown word types, the number of displayed words increases, Since words other than the type that the user wants to input are also displayed, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for the user to search for the word that the user wants to input from the displayed word list.

  For example, when the user utters “Reserving a Japanese hotel”, which is a natural language sentence including the word “Japan hotel” that is not a recognition target, the dialogue processing device uses the word “hotel” and In addition to estimating that the category is a hotel, it is also estimated that the category is a TV program title from the word “reserve”. That is, as a result of the estimation, a list of hotels and television programs is displayed on the dialog processing device side, so that the user is difficult to find a word he / she wants to input from a huge list of displayed words. It is done.

  In addition, since the conventional search support apparatus guides the user to perform a search using the presented question, there is a problem in that the user cannot directly use the search request sentence or word input by himself / herself for the search. .

  For example, the device has data such as the words “product name X”, “product name Y”, and the questions “how much is the price of?” And “how to purchase?” Corresponding to the concept “notebook computer”. When prepared in advance, the user inputs “I want to know about the product name X”, and the device presents the questions “What is the price of the product name X?” And “How to purchase the product name X?” These questions are used to guide the user to search for information related to “product name X”.

  This configuration is very good assistance when it is difficult or cumbersome for a user to assemble a question, but otherwise it may impair simplicity and speed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an input assist device that assists user input so that a user can quickly obtain a search result when information search does not proceed. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an input assist device according to the present invention assists input of search conditions in an information search device that searches information based on a search keyword designated by a user and presents a search result. A device that monitors a user's search keyword input status and determines whether or not a search condition input operation is progressing; and the progress status monitoring means determines that the input operation does not proceed. A search condition presenting means for obtaining a search condition searchable in the information search device based on a search keyword in a search when it is determined that the input operation does not proceed, and presenting the search condition to the user, The progress monitoring means acquires a user's operation history in the information search device, and uses the same menu hierarchy in the information search device a predetermined number of times. When the operation of the upper passage, and wherein determining that the input operation does not proceed.

  As described above, according to the input assistance device according to the present invention, when the user does not enter the search keyword by mistake and the search does not proceed, the appropriate input based on the search keyword input by the user. Since the search condition is presented to the user, the user can quickly obtain the search result by designating the presented search condition.

  An input auxiliary device according to the present invention is an input auxiliary device that assists input of search conditions in an information search device that searches information based on a search keyword designated by a user and presents a search result. The progress monitoring means for monitoring the keyword input status and determining whether or not the search condition input operation is progressing, and when the progress status monitoring means determines that the input operation does not proceed, the input operation proceeds. A search condition presenting unit that obtains a search condition that can be searched in the information search device based on a search keyword in the search when it is determined that there is no search condition and presents the search condition to the user;

  Here, the search keyword used for acquiring the search condition may be a search keyword designated by the user immediately before the progress monitoring means determines that the input operation does not proceed, or the search keyword The search condition acquired by the condition presenting means may be a search condition capable of searching for the search keyword, and the search condition acquired by the search condition presenting means is an application name capable of searching for the search keyword. The application may be activated and presented to the user. The search keyword may be a search method.

  Hereinafter, the fact that the search keyword input operation by the user does not proceed will be briefly expressed as the search does not proceed. Therefore, the phrase “determining whether the search is in progress” includes the meaning of determining whether the search keyword input operation by the user is in progress.

  Further, the progress monitoring means acquires a user operation history in the information search device, and the search does not proceed when there is an operation passing through the same menu hierarchy a predetermined number of times or more in the information search device. May be determined.

  The search keyword used for acquiring the search condition is determined not to advance from the time when it starts to pass through the same menu hierarchy when the progress monitoring means determines that the search does not proceed. It may be a plurality of search keywords designated by the user until immediately before.

  According to this configuration, since a method for determining a user's trouble is provided, it is possible to provide the user with suitable assistance for advancing the search using the method.

  In particular, if the user's trouble is determined by passing through the same menu hierarchy a predetermined number of times, the user's trouble can be appropriately determined even when the search operation is performed without any problems. By using the plurality of search keywords, it is possible to accurately infer a search method suitable for advancing the search and present it to the user.

  Further, the present invention can be realized not only as such an input assist device but also as an information search device. Further, it can be realized as an input assistance method having steps executed by characteristic means provided in such an input assistance device, or can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute these steps. Needless to say, such a program can be distributed via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a transmission medium such as the Internet.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an input auxiliary apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input assist device according to the first embodiment.
The input assisting device 100 is a device that supports input of appropriate search conditions in the information search device. As shown in FIG. 1, the input assisting device 100 includes an input unit 101, a search progress management unit 102, and a search condition presenting unit 110. Prepare.

  The input unit 101 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a remote controller that receives input of input data including a search keyword from a user. The input unit 101 outputs input data received from the user to the search progress management unit 102.

  The search progress management unit 102 is a processing unit that outputs input data acquired from the input unit 101 to the search device and monitors the progress of the search in the search device. When the search progress management unit 102 constantly monitors the search progress status in the search device and determines that the search does not proceed, it outputs the input data acquired from the input unit 101 to the category acquisition unit 104 of the search condition presenting unit 110. To do. Note that how the search progress management unit 102 determines the progress of the search will be described in detail later.

  The search device (not shown) is an information search device that searches for information desired by the user based on input data output from the search progress management unit 102.

  The search condition presentation unit 110 is a processing unit that extracts an appropriate search condition based on input data and presents it to the user when the search in the search device does not proceed. The category-specific knowledge storage unit 103, category An acquisition unit 104, a search method storage unit 105, a search method acquisition unit 106, a screen creation unit 107, and a display unit 108 are provided.

  The category-specific knowledge storage unit 103 is a storage device such as a hard disk that defines types of search keywords as categories and stores the categories and search keywords or operation command keywords in association with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of information stored in the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation in the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103. Here, <person name>, <actor>, <actress>, <particle>, etc. are defined as categories, and a state in which words belonging to each category are defined is shown. For example, <person name> category Is associated with the word (Taro Matsushita, Jiro Matsushita, Hanako Matsushita, Reiko Matsushita).

  Upon receiving input data from the search progress management unit 102, the category acquisition unit 104 refers to the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103 and acquires a category corresponding to the input data. Then, this category acquisition unit 104 outputs the acquired category to the search method acquisition unit 106.

  The search method storage unit 105 stores a name of a search method that can be searched for a category in the search device (hereinafter referred to as a search method name) in association with a natural language syntax expressed by a category column. It is a storage device. The search method name represents a search method that is preferably proposed to the user when the user inputs the corresponding syntax.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of information stored in the search method storage unit 105, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation form in the search method storage unit 105. Here, (search name search, actor name search, actress name search, actor name / actress name search) is defined as the search method name, and the search syntax corresponding to each search method name is defined using the category. Is shown. For example, the search syntax (<person name>) and (<person name> <particle>) correspond to the performer name search. In the specific example shown in FIG. 5, when the user inputs “Taro Matsushita” or “Taro Matsushita's program” and a natural language, a proposal is made to search for “Taro Matsushita” using performer name search. Can be received from this input assist device.

  The search method acquisition unit 106 is a processing unit that refers to the search method storage unit 105 based on the category acquired by the category acquisition unit 104 and acquires a search method name capable of searching for the category. Then, the search method acquisition unit 106 outputs the acquired search method name to the screen creation unit 107.

  The screen creation unit 107 acquires the search method name from the search method acquisition unit 106, converts the search represented by the search method name into display screen information that is proposed to the user, and outputs the display screen information to the display unit 108. .

  The display unit 108 is a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a plasma display panel (PDP), and displays display screen information acquired from the screen creation unit 107.

  An operation example of the input auxiliary apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input assist device 100.
First, the input assistance device 100 receives an input of a search keyword from the user via the input unit 101 (step S101). Here, as a specific example, the description will be continued assuming that the user inputs the search keyword “Taro Matsushita” from the input unit 101.

  Next, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the input data input from the input unit 101 to the search device (step S102), and monitors the search progress status in the search device (step S103).

  Then, the search progress management unit 102 monitors the search progress status in the search device, and determines that the search does not proceed (No in step S103), and outputs the input data input immediately before to the category acquisition unit 104. Here, it is assumed that the search does not proceed when the search result is unconfirmed and the input data is not input for a certain time after receiving the input data. In other words, when applied to the above example, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the search keyword “Taro Matsushita” input from the input unit 101 to the search device, monitors the search progress in the search device, and finds the search result. If the input data is not confirmed and the input data is not input for a certain time after the input of the search keyword, it is determined that the search does not proceed, and the search keyword “Taro Matsushita” input immediately before is output to the category acquisition unit 104 become.

  Subsequently, when the category acquisition unit 104 receives input data from the search progress management unit 102, the category acquisition unit 104 refers to the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103 to acquire a category corresponding to the input data (step S104). Is output to the search method acquisition unit 106. Here, the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103 stores a category, a search keyword, and an operation command keyword in association with each other. If the correspondence is expressed as (<category>, (search keyword group, operation command keyword group)), in this specific example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, (<person name>, (Taro Matsushita, Matsushita) Jiro, Matsushita Hanako, Matsushita Reiko, ...)), (<Actor>, (Taro Matsushita, Jiro Matsushita)), (<Actress>, (Hanako Matsushita, Reiko Matsushita)), (<Participant>, I want to see)) is stored in the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103. That is, when applied to the above example, the category acquisition unit 104 refers to the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103, and corresponds to the category (<person name>, “Taro Matsushita” corresponding to the search keyword “Taro Matsushita” input from the search progress management unit 102. <Actor>).

  When the search method acquisition unit 106 receives the category acquired from the category acquisition unit 104, the search method acquisition unit 106 refers to the search method storage unit 105 to acquire a search method name capable of searching for the category (step S105). The method name is output to the screen creation unit 107. Here, the search method storage unit 105 stores search method names that can be searched for categories in the search device in association with the natural language syntax expressed by the category column. If the correspondence is expressed as (<search method name>, (<category> column)), the search method storage unit 105 of this specific example, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. >, (<Person name> | <Person name> <Participant>)), (<Actor name search>, (<Actor> | <Actor> <Participant>)), (<Actress name search>, (<Actress> | < Actress> <particle>)), (<actor name / actress name search>, (<actor> | <actress>)). In other words, when applied to the above example, the search method acquisition unit 106 refers to the search method storage unit 105 and searches that belong to each of the two categories (<person name> and <actor>) acquired by the category acquisition unit 104. A search method name (<performer name search>, <actor name search>) capable of searching for a keyword is acquired and output to the screen creation unit 107.

  Then, the screen creation unit 107 converts the search method name acquired from the search method acquisition unit 106 into display screen information, and outputs the display screen information to the display unit 108 (step S106). In the above example, the screen creation unit 107 converts the search method name (<performer name search>, <actor name search>) acquired from the search method acquisition unit 106 into display screen information, and displays it on the display unit 108. Output information.

  Thereafter, the display unit 108 displays the display screen information acquired from the screen creation unit 107 (step S107) and ends the processing operation. In the above example, the display unit 108 displays the display screen information obtained by converting the search method name (<performer name search>, <actor name search>). A display example of the display unit 108 in this case is shown in FIG.

  Here, if the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search does not proceed, the search keyword input immediately before is output to the category acquisition unit 104. However, the search progress management unit 102 does not input until it is determined that the search does not proceed. The plurality of search keywords may be output to the category acquisition unit 104. In this way, a plurality of search method names that the user wants to input can be displayed. Further, the search method acquisition unit 106 may infer a search method that the user wants to input from a plurality of categories received from the category acquisition unit 104 and acquire the search method name from the search method storage unit 105. In this case, the search method name can be acquired with high accuracy.

  In the first embodiment, an input form using a keyboard or the like has been described as the input unit 101. However, a form using voice input may be used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input unit when voice input is used.
When using voice input, as shown in FIG. 8, the input unit 101 a includes a microphone 200 and a voice recognition unit 201.

  The microphone 200 converts the search keyword utterance input by the user into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal to the voice recognition unit 201.

  The voice recognition unit 201 recognizes the voice signal of the search keyword acquired from the microphone 200 and converts it into the text of the search keyword, calculates the accuracy of the voice recognition result, calculates the text of the search keyword, and the accuracy of the recognition result. Is output to the search progress management unit 102.

  In this case, the search progress management unit 102 does not perform the next input for a certain time or more, even if the search result is not confirmed in the search device, or the input score exceeds a certain threshold value. If it is lower, it is determined that the search does not proceed, and the text input from the speech recognition unit 201 is output to the category acquisition unit 104.

  Here, a case where the user speaks “Taro Matsushita” to the microphone 200 will be described as an example.

  Upon receiving the input of the spoken “Taro Matsushita”, the microphone 200 converts the voice signal “Matsushita Taro” and outputs the voice signal “Matsushita Taro” to the voice recognition unit 201.

  Next, the voice recognition unit 201 recognizes the voice signal “Matsushita Taro” input from the microphone 200 and converts it into the text “Taro Matsushita” and calculates the accuracy of voice recognition of the voice signal “Matsushita Taro”. The text “Taro Matsushita” and its score are output to the search progress management unit 102.

  The search progress management unit 102 advances the search when the search result is not finalized in the search device and the next input is not performed for a certain period of time or when the input score is lower than a predetermined threshold. It is determined that there is not, and the text “Taro Matsushita” is output to the category acquisition unit 104.

  In this way, the user can perform information search by voice. In addition, after the user utters “Taro Matsushita”, if the user cannot enter the next word without knowing what to say, or if the search does not proceed because the user has entered an unrecognized word Based on the word “Taro Matsushita” recognized immediately before the delay, a search method that is considered appropriate for the search in the search device is presented, so that the user can know what to do. Furthermore, since the user can continue the information search by specifying the presented search method, the possibility that the search result can be obtained quickly increases.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure as shown in FIG. 9 as another audio | voice input form.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the input unit when voice input is used.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the input unit 101b includes a microphone 200, a word standard pattern storage unit 202, a speech recognition unit 203, a syllable standard pattern storage unit 204, a reference similarity calculation unit 205, and a similarity correction unit. 206.

  In this case, the microphone 200 converts the search keyword utterance input by the user into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal to the voice recognition unit 203 and the reference similarity calculation unit 205.

  The word standard pattern storage unit 202 is a storage device such as a hard disk having an area for storing a standard pattern of recognition target words including a search keyword.

  The speech recognition unit 203 refers to the word standard pattern storage unit 202, recognizes the speech signal of the search keyword input from the microphone 200, converts the speech signal into the search keyword text, and calculates the accuracy of the speech recognition result. The search keyword text and its score are output to the similarity correction unit 206.

  The syllable standard pattern storage unit 204 is a storage device such as a hard disk having an area for storing standard patterns such as syllables, phonemes, and subwords.

  The reference similarity calculation unit 205 refers to the syllable standard pattern storage unit 204, obtains a text string having the maximum score for the speech signal of the search keyword input from the microphone 200, and determines the score in that case as the similarity The data is output to the correction unit 206.

  The similarity correction unit 206 obtains a correction score obtained by correcting the score input from the speech recognition unit 203 with the score input from the reference similarity calculation unit 205, and the calculated correction score and the input from the speech recognition unit 203 The search keyword text is output to the search progress management unit 102.

  Here, as in the case described above, a case where the user speaks “Taro Matsushita” to the microphone 200 will be described as an example.

  Upon receiving the input of the spoken “Taro Matsushita”, the microphone 200 converts the voice signal “Matsushita Taro” and outputs the voice signal “Matsushita Taro” to the voice recognition unit 203 and the reference similarity calculation unit 205.

  The speech recognition unit 203 refers to the word standard pattern storage unit 202 and recognizes the speech signal “Matsushita Taro” input from the microphone 200 to convert it into the text “Taro Matsushita” and also converts the speech signal “Matsushita Taro”. The accuracy of speech recognition is calculated, and the text “Taro Matsushita” and the score “800” generated during speech recognition are output to the similarity correction unit 206. A specific example of the recognition result in this case is shown in FIG.

  The reference similarity calculation unit 205 refers to the syllable standard pattern storage unit 204 to obtain a text string having the maximum score for the speech signal “Matsushita Taro” input from the microphone 200 (that is, here, the user's The maximum score for the utterance is obtained, and the score varies depending on the user, such as the user's utterance method and voice quality, and the score in this case, for example, the score “1000” is corrected for similarity. The data is output to the unit 206. A specific example of the text string and score in this case is shown in FIG.

  The similarity correction unit 206 corrects the score “800” input from the speech recognition unit 203 with the score “1000” input from the reference similarity calculation unit 205, and inputs a correction score, for example, input from the speech recognition unit 203. The search proceeds with the corrected score “0.8” obtained by dividing the score “800” divided by the score “1000” input from the reference similarity calculation unit 205 and the text “Taro Matsushita” input from the speech recognition unit 203. The data is output to the management unit 102.

  In this way, the user can perform information search by voice. In addition, by obtaining a text string that maximizes the score for the input speech and correcting the word-recognized score with the score at that time, that is, by normalizing individual differences with respect to the speech recognizer, high accuracy It can be determined that the user is inputting a word that is not a recognition target, and a search method is presented in that case, so that the user can know what to say. Furthermore, the user can continue the information search by specifying the search method.

  As described so far, when the input unit of the input assist device is in the form of voice input, such a configuration allows the user to speak when the user performs voice input and the search does not proceed. A search method that can search related words of a search keyword or a search keyword is displayed, so that the user can obtain suitable assistance for advancing the search by easily understanding the content to be uttered.

  Further, the user can easily understand whether or not the spoken search keyword exists as a recognition target word by designating the displayed search method and displaying a search keyword list that can be searched by the search method. It becomes like this.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of search keyword list information displayed on the display unit 108. For example, when “1. Performer name search” is selected from the display screen information shown in FIG. 7, a list of words belonging to the person name (see FIG. 2) is displayed in a menu format. From such information, the user can understand whether or not the spoken search keyword exists as a recognition target word, and can obtain assistance for proceeding the search accurately.

  In the first embodiment, the situation in which the search does not proceed is described as a case where the search result is unconfirmed and the input data is not input for a certain time after the input data is received. The search progress status determination process in the search progress management unit 102 will be described in more detail below.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when the search progress management unit 102 determines the search progress status in the search device.

  The search progress management unit 102 first determines the search progress status in the search device from the viewpoint of whether the speech recognition score input from the input unit 101a or 101b is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (S111). That is, when the voice recognition score is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold (Yes in S111), the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search process in the search device does not proceed (S115) and determines the search progress status. Exit.

  On the other hand, when the score of voice recognition exceeds a predetermined threshold (No in S111), the search progress management unit 102 passes the same menu hierarchy more than a certain number of times in the search device based on the user operation history. Whether or not there is a search progress in the search device is determined (S112). That is, the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search process in the search device does not proceed (S115) when it passes through the same menu hierarchy more than a certain number of times (Yes in S112), and determines the search progress status End the operation.

  On the other hand, if the same menu hierarchy has not been passed a certain number of times (No in S112), the search progress management unit 102 determines whether or not a certain time has passed since input data was input from the input unit 101 or the like. From the viewpoint, the search progress status in the search device is determined (S113). That is, the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search process in the search device does not proceed when there is no input data for a certain period of time (Yes in S113), and ends the processing operation for determining the search progress status. To do.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in S113), the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search process in the search device is in progress (S114), and determines the search progress status. The processing operation is terminated. Since the search progress management unit 102 constantly monitors the search status in the search device, if any event of step S111, step S112, and step S113 occurs, the search progress determination processing operation is performed. It is determined that the start / search process does not proceed.

  In this way, by determining that the search does not proceed when the search apparatus passes through the same menu hierarchy a predetermined number of times or more, it is possible to determine that the user has not been able to search for the target content.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example when the same menu hierarchy is passed a certain number of times. The menu arranged according to the menu hierarchy is provided, for example, in a search device that searches for commercially available video software. In this example, each menu is considered to be, for example, a specific search function based on a unique search method, or an entrance to the search function, and the user speaks a search keyword indicating the search method, so that the corresponding menu is displayed. Is called. In this figure, for example, a user who wants to search for a DVD that recorded an adventurer who fell down Kilimanjaro with a snowboard utters the search keywords “video software” and “DVD”, and the media hierarchy and submedia hierarchy respectively. The case where a search is attempted by calling the corresponding menu of is represented. The user then utters the search keywords “sports” and “snowboard” to call up the corresponding menus in the genre hierarchy and the sub-genre hierarchy, respectively, but does not find the desired DVD. Returning to the “DVD” menu in the hierarchy, the search keywords “non-fiction” and “documentary” are spoken one after another to call up the menu and try to search.

  In such a case, for example, it is determined that the user has not been able to search for the target content by passing through the menu “DVD” a certain number of times or more, so that voice recognition is performed well and the user says something. Even if it is not stagnant, it is possible to appropriately detect the user's troubles and provide assistance for advancing the search. In the above example, it is determined that the user cannot search the target content by using the same menu “DVD” a certain number of times. However, the same menu hierarchy, for example, “genre” is determined a certain number of times. You may make it utilize passing above.

  If the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search does not proceed, the search progress management unit 102 outputs to the category acquisition unit 104 a plurality of search keywords that have been input from the time when the search starts to pass through the same menu hierarchy. Also good. In the above example, the search keywords “sports”, “non-fiction”, and “documentary” are output.

  Then, the search method acquisition unit 106 infers a search method that the user wants to input from the plurality of categories received from the category acquisition unit 104 and acquires the search method name from the search method storage unit 105. Anyway. As a specific example, related keyword information representing a search keyword having a similar meaning for each category as shown in FIG. 30 is stored in advance in the search method storage unit 105, for example, and the search method acquisition unit 106 stores the search keyword “ When “sports”, “non-fiction”, and “documentary” are input from the category acquisition unit 104, the search keyword “adventure” belonging to the same category as the search keywords “non-fiction” and “documentary” from the related keyword information shown in FIG. To get. By presenting the acquired search keyword to the user, the user can further advance the search using a menu called by the search keyword “adventure” that has not been tried yet. In this case, since the search method can be inferred using a plurality of categories, the search method name can be acquired with high accuracy.

  In this example, the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search does not proceed when input data is not input for a certain period of time after input data is input from the input unit 101 or the like. If the input data is not input for a predetermined time or more from the time when the inquiry is made to the user, it may be determined that the search does not proceed. By doing in this way, it can be determined that the user does not know what to input in response to the inquiry from the search device side.

  In addition, the search progress management unit 102 may determine that the search does not proceed when a score equal to or less than a predetermined threshold is continuously input a certain number of times. By doing so, it can be determined that the user has input the keyword not to be searched a plurality of times, and the user can be understood that an incorrect search keyword has been input.

  As described above, according to the input assistance device according to the first embodiment, when the search does not proceed because the user has erroneously input the search keyword, the search keyword input by the user can be searched. By displaying the search method, the user can search by specifying the search method. In addition, when the search does not proceed due to a large amount of information that hits the search condition, a plurality of search methods that can search for the search keyword entered by the user are displayed, so the user must specify the presented search method. Thus, it is possible to continue the search with further narrowed search conditions.

  That is, according to the input assisting device according to the first embodiment, when the search process in the search device is not proceeding smoothly, based on the input search keyword, a search condition suitable for the search keyword search is set. Since it is presented to the user, the user can quickly obtain a search result screen as shown in FIG. 15 from the search device by designating the presented search condition.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the user inputs a search keyword has been described as an example. However, the present invention is naturally applicable to the case where the user inputs a search method name. In this case, for example, in a situation where the search does not proceed because the user has entered an incorrect search method name, the user is presented by presenting a search method that is a superordinate concept of the search method input by the user. The search can be advanced by specifying the search method of the higher concept.

  In the above description, the search keyword and the search method name have been input from the user using natural language syntax. Alternatively, the search keyword and the search method name may be selected and input from a menu, for example.

  One typical example of the search keyword selection input screen is shown in FIG. As described above, this screen displays a list of words belonging to the person name (see FIG. 2) in a menu format. When the user selects one or more of these, the selected word is input as a search keyword. The

  Of course, the present invention is also applicable to the case where the search keyword is selected and input from the menu. In that case, for example, in a situation where the search does not proceed because a predetermined time has passed without the user selecting a word, in order to advance the search by presenting the search method as described above Assistance can be provided to the user.

  Further, the search progress management unit 102 may determine that the search does not proceed based on a user input indicating that the search does not proceed. As an example of the user input indicating that the search does not proceed, if the input auxiliary device is provided with a search stagnation button, a signal indicating that the user has pressed the search stagnation button, or a voice as the input unit 101 When the input is used, the result is a recognition result obtained by voice recognition of the user's utterance indicating that the search does not proceed easily, such as “I don't really progress” or “I don't know”. In this way, the user can directly determine that the search does not proceed to the input assist device, or the system can determine that the search does not proceed using anything other than the user's direct input.

  In addition, the search progress management unit 102 may determine that the search does not proceed based on the number of search results searched by the search device. In this way, even when the user cannot narrow down the search results due to many search results, a search method suitable for the search in the search device is presented, so that the user can know what to input. .

  Further, the search progress management unit 102 may determine that the search does not proceed when the degree of decrease in the number of results for each search searched by the search device is smaller than a specific threshold. In this way, even when the user cannot efficiently narrow down the search results, a search method for appropriately narrowing down the search results is presented, so that the user can know what to input.

(Modification according to Embodiment 1)
Further, although the search method storage unit 105 associates the search method name with the category column in the search device, the search method storage unit 105 associates the application name with the natural language syntax expressed by the category column. The application name is acquired from the search method storage unit 105 based on the category acquired by the acquisition unit 104, and the screen creation unit 107 activates an application corresponding to the application name acquired by the search method acquisition unit 106, and the display unit 108. May be displayed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application start button displayed on the display unit 108 corresponding to the search method in this modification. In this example, a button for starting an application that executes the search method is displayed corresponding to each search method name. By clicking this button, the user can start an application and perform a search by a corresponding method.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of link data used for starting an application corresponding to a search method. In this example, an example of link data stored in the application link storage unit 109 is shown. The application link storage unit 109 is realized by using, for example, a hard disk device, and is provided in the search condition presenting unit 110 in FIG. 1 (not shown), for example.

  This link data is data indicating the search method name and the path of the application that executes the search method in association with each other. When the above-described button is clicked, an application of a path indicated by this link data is started corresponding to the button search method. Specifically, on the screen shown in FIG. 16, for example, when the start button corresponding to “1. Performer name search” is clicked, the application indicated by the corresponding path \ apps \ ap1.exe is started, As a result, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed.

  The link for starting the application may be expressed in a format embedded in the search method name so as to be widely used as a WEB page expression method in addition to the button format as described above. It is also conceivable that the key is assigned to a numeric key displayed together with the search method name.

  By adopting the configuration of the modified example described above, the user can understand an application that can search for the input search keyword, and can start the application to proceed with the search.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, an input assist device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the first embodiment described above, it is possible to present to the user a search method name that can search for the search keyword input by the user when the user search does not proceed. The input assisting device according to the present invention makes it possible to display a keyword related to a search keyword input by the user when the search situation of the user is stagnant.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input assist device according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the input auxiliary device 300 according to the present embodiment is common in that the input auxiliary device 100 according to the first embodiment includes an input unit 101 and a search progress management unit 102. However, the search condition presenting unit 310 is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a related word storage unit 301 and a related word acquisition unit 302. Hereinafter, this difference will be mainly described. In addition, the block of the same code | symbol as said Embodiment 1 shall perform the same operation | movement, and those detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The related word storage unit 301 is a storage device such as a hard disk having an area for storing words in association with each other. The related word storage unit 301 stores the words in association with each other as upper concept words and lower concept words.

  FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of information stored in the related word storage unit 301. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation in the related word storage unit 301. In the example shown here, (higher concept word, (lower concept word group)), (restaurant, (Western, Japanese, Chinese)), (Western, (Italian, Spanish, French, international) ),... Are stored in the related word storage unit 301.

  When the related word acquisition unit 302 receives input data from the search progress management unit 102, the related word acquisition unit 302 refers to the related word storage unit 301 and acquires a related word corresponding to the input data. Then, the related word acquisition unit 302 outputs the acquired related word to the screen creation unit 107.

  An operation example of the input auxiliary apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input assist device 300.
First, the input assistance device 300 receives an input of a search keyword from the user via the input unit 101 (step S201). Here, as a specific example, it is assumed that the user has input the search keyword “Western food” from the input unit 101 in order to search for restaurants.

  Next, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the input data input from the input unit 101 to the search device (step S202), and monitors the search progress status in the search device (step S203).

  Then, the search progress management unit 102 monitors the search progress status in the search device. If the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search does not proceed (No in S203), the search progress management unit 102 outputs the input data input immediately before to the related word acquisition unit 302. Here, as in the case of the first embodiment, the situation where the search does not proceed is a case where the search is unconfirmed and the input data is not input for a certain time after the input data is received. In other words, when applied to the above example, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the search keyword “Western food” input from the input unit 101 to the search device, monitors the search progress in the search device, and finds that the search result is not yet obtained. If the input data is confirmed and no input data is input for a certain period of time after the input of the search keyword, it is determined that the search does not proceed, and the search keyword “Western food” input immediately before is output to the related word acquisition unit 302. Become.

  Subsequently, when the related word acquisition unit 302 receives the input data from the search progress management unit 102, the related word acquisition unit 302 refers to the related word storage unit 301 to acquire a related word corresponding to the input data (step S204). The related word is output to the screen creation unit 107. In other words, when applied to the above example, the related word acquisition unit 302 refers to the related word storage unit 301 as a related word of the search keyword “Western food” input from the search progress management unit 102, as a subordinate concept word (Italy Cuisine, Spanish cuisine, French cuisine, and international cuisine) are obtained and output to the screen creation unit 107.

  Then, the screen creation unit 107 converts the related word acquired from the related word acquisition unit 302 into display screen information, and outputs the display screen information to the display unit 108 (step S205). In the above example, the screen creation unit 107 converts the related words (Italian food, Spanish food, French food, international cuisine) acquired from the related word acquisition unit 302 into display screen information, and displays the display screen information on the display unit 108. Will be output.

  Thereafter, the display unit 108 displays the display screen information acquired from the screen creation unit 107 (step S206), and ends the processing operation. In the above example, the display unit 108 displays display screen information obtained by converting related words (Italian cuisine, Spanish cuisine, French cuisine, international cuisine). A display example of the display unit 108 in this case is shown in FIG.

  Here, when the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search does not proceed, the search keyword input immediately before is output to the related word acquisition unit 302. However, until the search is determined not to proceed, A plurality of input search keywords may be output to the related word acquisition unit 302. In this way, a plurality of search keywords that the user wants to input can be displayed. Further, the related word acquisition unit 302 infers a related word that the user wants to input from a plurality of related words corresponding to the plurality of search keywords received from the search progress management unit 102, and only the inferred related word is a screen creation unit. It may be output to 107. In this case, related words can be presented to the user with high accuracy.

  Also, in the input auxiliary device 300 according to the second embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the input unit 101 may be configured by voice input. The configuration of the input unit in this case is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  Here, a case where the user speaks “Western food” to the microphone 200 will be described as an example.

  When the microphone 200 receives the input of the spoken “Western food”, the microphone 200 converts the voice signal “Yoshoku” and outputs the voice signal “Yoshoku” to the voice recognition unit 201.

  Next, the voice recognition unit 201 recognizes the voice signal “Yoshoku” input from the microphone 200 and converts it into the text “Western food” and calculates the accuracy of voice recognition of the voice signal “Yoshoku”. “Western food” and its score are output to the search progress management unit 102.

  The search progress management unit 102 advances the search when the search result is not finalized in the search device and the next input is not performed for a certain period of time or when the input score is lower than a predetermined threshold. It is determined that there is no text, and the text “Western food” is output to the related word acquisition unit 302.

  In this way, the user can perform information search by voice. In addition, when the user does not know what to say or when the search does not proceed because a word that is not a recognition target is input, the search condition appropriate for the search in the search device is presented. , You will know what to say. Furthermore, the user can continue the information search by specifying the presented search condition.

  Similarly, in the input auxiliary device 300 according to the second embodiment, the configuration shown in FIG. 9 may be used as another voice input mode as described in the first embodiment.

  Here, as in the case described above, a case where the user speaks “Western food” to the microphone 200 will be described as an example.

  When the microphone 200 receives input of the spoken “Western food”, the microphone 200 converts the voice signal “Yoshoku” into the voice recognition unit 203 and the reference similarity calculation unit 205.

  The speech recognition unit 203 refers to the word standard pattern storage unit 202, recognizes the speech signal “Yoshoku” input from the microphone 200, converts it into the text “Western food”, and performs speech recognition of the speech signal “Yoshoku”. The accuracy is calculated, and the text “Western food” and the score “800” generated during speech recognition are output to the similarity correction unit 206. A specific example of the recognition result in this case is shown in FIG.

  The reference similarity calculation unit 205 refers to the syllable standard pattern storage unit 204 to obtain a text string having the maximum score for the speech signal “youshoku” input from the microphone 200 (that is, here the user's utterance). And the score varies depending on the user depending on the user's utterance, voice quality, and the like, and the score in this case, for example, the score “1000” is used as the similarity correction unit. It outputs to 206. A specific example of the text string and score in this case is shown in FIG.

  The similarity correction unit 206 corrects the score “800” input from the speech recognition unit 203 with the score “1000” input from the reference similarity calculation unit 205, and inputs a correction score, for example, input from the speech recognition unit 203. Search progress management of the corrected score “0.8” obtained by dividing the score “800” by the score “1000” input from the reference similarity calculation unit 205 and the text “Western food” input from the speech recognition unit 203 Output to the unit 102.

  In this way, the user can perform information search by voice. In addition, by obtaining a text string that maximizes the score for the input speech and correcting the word-recognized score with the score at that time, that is, by normalizing individual differences with respect to the speech recognizer, high accuracy It can be determined that the user has input a word that is not the recognition target, and the search condition is presented in that case, so that the user can know what to say. Furthermore, the user can continue the information search by specifying the search method.

  Also in the input assist device 300 according to the second embodiment, the search progress status determination process as described in detail in the first embodiment may be performed.

  In the second embodiment, the related word storage unit 301 stores the words as higher concept words and lower concept words in association with each other, and the related word acquisition unit 302 corresponds to the input data received from the search progress management unit 102. The subordinate concept words are acquired from the related word storage unit 301 and output to the screen creation unit 107. However, the related word storage unit 301 stores the synonyms in association with each other, and the related word acquisition unit 302 stores the search progress management unit 102. The synonym corresponding to the input data received from the user may be acquired from the related word storage unit 301 and output to the screen creation unit 107.

  In this way, when the number of search results based on the search keyword input by the user is small, the user can know the search keyword having the same meaning as the input search keyword and capable of being searched by the search device. Search omissions when performing.

  Here, the related word acquisition unit 302 acquires the lower concept word corresponding to the input data received from the search progress management unit 102 from the related word storage unit 301 and outputs it to the screen creation unit 107. The higher-order concept word corresponding to the input data received from the unit 102 may be acquired from the related word storage unit 301 and output to the screen creation unit 107.

  In this way, when the number of search results based on the search keyword input by the user is small, the user can search the information by expanding the search range in the search device by inputting the presented high-order concept word. become able to.

  In addition, the related word acquisition unit 302 may switch the type of word acquired from the related word storage unit 301 to a higher concept word, a lower concept word, or a synonym according to the number of search results of the search device. . In this way, the user can automatically know the search keywords that can obtain the optimum number of search results.

  As described above, according to the input assistance device according to the second embodiment, when the search does not proceed because the number of search results is large with respect to the search keyword input by the user, Since the word corresponding to the concept or the word corresponding to the synonym is presented, the user can easily input the search keyword for narrowing down the search result.

  In addition, even if the search does not proceed due to the small number of search results for the search keyword entered by the user, the word corresponding to the higher concept of the search keyword input by the user or the word corresponding to the synonym is presented. The user can easily input a search keyword for increasing the number of search results.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, an input auxiliary device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the input auxiliary device according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the input auxiliary device 400 according to the third embodiment includes the input unit 101 and the search progress management unit 102, and the input auxiliary device 100 described in the first and second embodiments. And in common. However, the search condition presenting unit 410 differs from the first and second embodiments in that the search condition presenting unit 410 includes a communication unit 401 and a search method / related word acquisition unit 402. Hereinafter, this difference will be mainly described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as Embodiment 1 and 2, and those detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The communication unit 401 is a communication interface for communicating with the information search device A and the information search device B existing on the network 403.

  When receiving the input data from the search progress management unit 102, the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 transmits the input data to the information search device A and the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401, It is a processing unit that acquires a search method name or a related word from the information search device A or information search device B on 403 via the communication unit 401. When the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 acquires the search method name or related word from the information search device A or information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401, the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 The related word is output to the screen creation unit 107.

  Each of the information search device A and the information search device B internally holds a search method name and related words, and based on the search keyword transmitted from the input auxiliary device 400, the search method name and the search method suitable for the search keyword A related word of the search keyword is extracted and transmitted to the input assist device 400.

  An operation example of the input assisting device 400 according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input assist device 400.
First, the input assistance device 400 receives an input of a search keyword from the user via the input unit 101 (step S301). Here, as a specific example, the description will be continued assuming that the user has input the search keyword “Western food” from the input unit 101 in order to search for restaurants as in the second embodiment.

  Next, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the input data input from the input unit 101 to the search device (step S302), and monitors the search progress status in the search device (step S303).

  Then, the search progress management unit 102 monitors the search progress status in the search device, and determines that the search does not proceed (No in S303), outputs the input data input immediately before to the search method / related word acquisition unit 402. To do. Here, as in the case of the first and second embodiments, the situation where the search does not proceed is a case where the search is unconfirmed and the input data is not input for a certain time after receiving the input data. . In other words, when applied to the above example, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the search keyword “Western food” input from the input unit 101 to the search device, monitors the search progress in the search device, and finds that the search result is not yet obtained. If the input data is confirmed and no input data is input for a certain time after the input of the search keyword, it is determined that the search does not proceed, and the search keyword “Western food” input immediately before is output to the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 Will do.

  Subsequently, when the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 receives the input data from the search progress management unit 102, the input data received by the information search device A and the information search device B on the network 403 is received via the communication unit 401. The search method name and the related word corresponding to the input data are acquired from the information search device A and the information search device B through the communication unit 401 (step S304), and the acquired search method name and the related word are acquired. The data is output to the screen creation unit 107. In other words, when applied to the above example, the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 transmits the search keyword “Western food” to the information search device A and the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401. And (Italian cuisine, Spanish cuisine) and (French cuisine, international cuisine) were acquired from the information retrieval device A and the information retrieval device B, respectively, via the communication unit 401, and obtained (Italian cuisine, Spanish cuisine). , (French cuisine, international cuisine) is output to the screen creation unit 107.

  Here, the screen creation unit 107 determines whether or not there is an overlap in the search method name and related terms (search conditions) acquired from the search method / related term acquisition unit 402 (step S305). This is because there are cases where search conditions are obtained from the information search device A and the information search device B in duplicate.

  If there is no overlapping condition (No in step S305), the screen creation unit 107 converts the search method name and related word acquired from the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 into display screen information as it is, and displays the display unit. The display screen information is output to 108.

  On the other hand, when there is an overlapping condition (Yes in step S305), the screen creation unit 107 deletes one of the overlapping search conditions and combines them into one (step S306). The search method name and related terms acquired from the related term acquisition unit 402 are converted into display screen information, and the display screen information is output to the display unit 108 (step S307). By doing in this way, the search method name and related word displayed on a display screen can be reduced, and the display which a user can understand easily can be performed.

  Thereafter, the display unit 108 displays the display screen information acquired from the screen creation unit 107 (step S308), and ends the processing operation.

  Here, if the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search does not proceed, the search keyword input immediately before is output to the search method / related word acquisition unit 402, but it is determined that the search does not proceed. A plurality of search keywords input until then may be output to the search method / related word acquisition unit 402. In this way, a plurality of search keywords that the user wants to input can be displayed. Further, the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 infers a search method name or related word that the user wants to input from a plurality of search method names or related words corresponding to the plurality of search keywords received from the search progress management unit 102. Only the inferred search method name and related words may be output to the screen creation unit 107. In this case, the search method name and related terms can be presented to the user with high accuracy.

  Also in input assisting device 400 according to the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the configuration of input unit 101 may be the configuration shown in FIG. Good.

  In the third embodiment, the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 acquires the search method name or related word from the information search device A or the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401. However, a device name or device identifier may be acquired in addition to the search method name or related word from the information search device A or information search device B on the network via the communication unit 401. In this case, the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 associates the acquired device name with the search method name or related word and outputs the associated name to the screen creation unit 107. The screen creation unit 107 acquires the search method / related word. The device name received from the unit 402 is associated with the search method name or related word and converted into display screen information, and the display screen information is output to the display unit 108.

  When applied to the above example, the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 receives (information search device, related word) from the information search device A and the information search device B on the network 403 as (information search device). A, (Italian cuisine, Spanish cuisine)), (information retrieval device B, (French cuisine, international cuisine)), the obtained (information retrieval device A, (Italian cuisine, Spanish cuisine)), (information retrieval Device B, (French cuisine, international cuisine)) is output to the screen creation unit 107, and the screen creation unit 107 receives (information retrieval device A, (Italian cuisine, Spanish cuisine)), (information retrieval device B, (French cuisine, international cuisine)) is converted into display screen information, and the display screen information is output to the display unit 108. A display example of the display unit 108 in this case is shown in FIG.

  Further, when the search method / related word acquisition unit 402 acquires the search method name or the related word and the device identifier from the information search device A or the information search device B on the network via the communication unit 401, the acquired device identifier May be converted into a device name that can be understood by the user, and the device name and the search method name or related word may be associated with each other and output to the screen creation unit 107. In this way, the user can understand the devices on the network 403 that can easily search for the target content, the search method, and the search keyword.

  As described above, according to the input assistance device according to the third embodiment, when the search does not proceed, the input data input by the user is transmitted to the device on the network, and then searched from the device on the network. Since the method and the related word are received and displayed, the user can easily understand the search method and the search keyword that can search the target content for the devices on the network.

  Also, if the search does not proceed, the input data entered by the user is sent to the device on the network, and then the search method, related terms, device name and device identifier are received from the device on the network and displayed. The user can understand the devices on the network that can easily search for the target content, the search method, and the search keyword.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, an input auxiliary device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input assist device according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the input assist device 500 according to the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the input assist device 400 described in the third embodiment. However, the search condition presentation unit 510 is different from the third embodiment in that the search condition presentation unit 510 includes a category acquisition unit 104, a category-specific knowledge storage unit 103, and a search method / related word acquisition unit 501. Hereinafter, this difference will be mainly described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as the said Embodiment 1-3, those detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The search method / related word acquisition unit 501 transmits the category and search keyword acquired by the category acquisition unit 104 to the information search device A and the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401, and It is a processing unit that acquires a search method name or related word from the information search device A or the information search device B via the communication unit 401. When the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 acquires the search method name or the related word from the information search device A or the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 The related word is output to the screen creation unit 107.

  The information search device A and the information search device B each have a search method name and a related word therein, and a search that can search for the category based on a category or a search keyword transmitted from the input auxiliary device 500. The method name and related terms of the search keyword are extracted and transmitted to the input assist device 500.

  An operation example of the input auxiliary apparatus 500 according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above will be described below. The operation of the input assist device 500 is similar to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.

  First, the input assist device 500 receives an input of a search keyword from a user via the input unit 101. Here, as a specific example, the description will be continued assuming that the user inputs the search keyword “Taro Matsushita” from the input unit 101.

  Next, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the input data input from the input unit 101 to the search device, monitors the search progress in the search device, and determines that the search does not proceed, it is input immediately before The input data is output to the category acquisition unit 104. Here, as in the first to third embodiments, the situation where the search does not proceed is a case where the search is unconfirmed and the input data is not input for a certain period of time after receiving the input data. . In other words, in the above example, the search progress management unit 102 outputs the search keyword “Taro Matsushita” input from the input unit 101 to the search device, and if the input data is not input for a certain period of time thereafter, the search proceeds. In other words, the search keyword “Taro Matsushita” input immediately before is output to the category acquisition unit 104.

  Subsequently, when the category acquisition unit 104 receives input data from the search progress management unit 102, the category acquisition unit 104 refers to the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103 to acquire a category corresponding to the input data, and uses the acquired category as a search method. Output to the related word acquisition unit 501. Here, the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103 stores a category and a search keyword or an operation command keyword in association with each other. In this specific example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, (<category> , (Search keyword group, action command keyword group)) (<person name>, (Taro Matsushita, Jiro Matsushita, Hanako Matsushita, Reiko Matsushita, ...)), (<Actor>, (Taro Matsushita, Jiro Matsushita))), (<Actress>, (Hanako Matsushita, Reiko Matsushita)), (<Participant>, (I want to see the program))). That is, when applied to the above example, the category acquisition unit 104 refers to the category-specific knowledge storage unit 103, and corresponds to the category (<person name>, <Actor>) will be acquired.

  Upon receiving the category acquired from the category acquisition unit 104, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 transmits the received category to the information search device A or the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401. When the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 acquires the search method name or related word from the information search apparatus A or the like on the network 403 via the communication unit 401, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 displays the acquired search method name or related word on the screen creation unit. It outputs to 107. In the above example, when the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 acquires a category (<person name>, <actor>) from the category acquisition unit 104, the information is an information search device on the network 403 via the communication unit 401. The category (<person name>, <actor>) is transmitted to the search device A and the information search device B. Furthermore, the search method name <performer name search> and <actor name search> are acquired from the information search device A and the information search device B, respectively, and output to the screen creation unit 107.

Since the subsequent operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Here, if the search progress management unit 102 determines that the search does not proceed, the search keyword input immediately before is output to the category acquisition unit 104. However, the search progress management unit 102 does not input until it is determined that the search does not proceed. The plurality of search keywords may be output to the category acquisition unit 104. In this way, a plurality of search method names and related terms that the user wants to input can be displayed. Further, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 infers a search method name that the user wants to input from the plurality of categories received from the category acquisition unit 104 and the search method obtained via the communication unit 401, and performs a search. The method name may be specified. In this case, the search method name can be acquired with high accuracy.

  Also, in the input auxiliary device 500 according to the fourth embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, the configuration of the input unit 101 may be the configuration shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. Good.

  Further, also in the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 performs a search method from the information search device A or the information search device B on the network via the communication unit 401. In addition to the name or related word, a device name or device identifier may be acquired. In this case, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 associates the acquired device name with the search method name or related word and outputs the associated name to the screen creation unit 107. The screen creation unit 107 acquires the search method / related word. The device name received from the unit 501 is converted into display screen information in association with the search method name or related word, and the display screen information is output to the display unit 108.

  If applied to the above example, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 receives (information search) as (device name, search method name) from the information search device A and the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401. Device A, <Performer name search>), (Information search device B, <Actor name search>) are acquired and output to the screen creation unit 107. The screen creation unit 107 receives (Information search device A, < Performer name search>) (information search device B, <actor name search>) is converted into display screen information, and the display screen information is output to the display unit 108. A display example of the display unit 108 in this case is shown in FIG.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, the search method / related word acquisition unit 501 receives a search method name or related word and device from the information search device A or the information search device B on the network 403 via the communication unit 401. When the identifier is acquired, the acquired device identifier may be converted into a device name that can be understood by the user, and the device name and the search method name or related word may be associated with each other and output to the screen creation unit 107. In this way, the user can understand the devices on the network 403 that can easily search for the target content, the search method, and the search keyword.

  Further, as in the third embodiment, when there are duplicate search method names and related words input from the search method / related word acquisition unit 501, the screen creation unit 107 combines them into a single display screen. The information may be converted into information and the display screen information may be output to the display unit 108. By doing in this way, the search method name and related word displayed on a display screen can be reduced, and the display which a user can understand easily can be performed.

  As described above, according to the input assistance device according to the fourth embodiment, when the user does not know the optimal search keyword and the search does not proceed, the related keyword or the search keyword of the search keyword input by the user is searched. Since the search method names that can be displayed are displayed, the user can easily understand search methods and search keywords that can easily search for the target content.

  Also, if the search does not proceed because the number of search results for the search keyword entered by the user is small, the category of the search keyword entered by the user is transmitted to the device on the network, and then the category from the device on the network is sent. Therefore, the user can understand the search method that can easily search the target content for the devices on the network.

  Further, when the search does not proceed because the number of search results for the search keyword input by the user is small, the category of the search keyword input by the user is transmitted to the device on the network, and then from the device on the network, Since a search method capable of searching for the category, a device name, and a device identifier are received and displayed, the user can search by specifying a search method name for a device on the network.

  As mentioned above, although the input assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention was demonstrated based on each embodiment, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to these embodiment.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the input assist device and the search device are shown as independent components, but may be realized as one information search device including these components.

  The input assist device according to the present invention can assist the user to quickly obtain the search result by presenting a search method and related words to which the keyword that the user wants to search belongs when the search process is stagnant. It is useful as an HDD recorder, a DVD recorder, a TV, an audio component, a terminal for accessing the Internet, and searching information.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of information stored in the category-specific knowledge storage unit of the input assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation in the category-specific knowledge storage unit of the input assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of information stored in the search method storage unit of the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation in the search method storage unit of the input assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a search method in the input assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an input unit in the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the input unit in the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the output of the voice recognition unit in the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output of the reference similarity calculation unit in the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of search keywords in the input assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search progress determination process in the input auxiliary device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search hierarchy according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a search result when a search is performed using the input assist device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application activation button according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of link data according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input assist device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of information stored in the related word storage unit of the input assist device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting form in the related word storage unit of the input auxiliary device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input auxiliary device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the input assist device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the output of the speech recognition unit in the input assist device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output of the reference similarity calculation unit in the input assistance device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input assist device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input auxiliary device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the input assist device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the input assist device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the input assist device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of related keyword information stored in the search method storage unit of the input auxiliary device according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100, 300, 400, 500 Input auxiliary device 101, 101a, 101b Input unit 102 Search progress management unit 103 Knowledge storage unit by category 104 Category acquisition unit 105 Search method storage unit 106 Search method acquisition unit 107 Screen creation unit 108 Display unit 110 310, 410, 510 Search condition presentation unit 200 Microphone 201, 203 Speech recognition unit 202 Word standard pattern storage unit 204 Syllable standard pattern storage unit 205 Reference similarity calculation unit 206 Similarity correction unit 301 Related word storage unit 302 Acquisition of related words Unit 401 communication unit 402, 501 search method / related word acquisition unit 403 network

Claims (6)

An input auxiliary device for assisting in inputting search conditions in an information search device for searching for information based on a search keyword designated by a user and presenting a search result,
A progress monitoring means for monitoring a user's search keyword input status and determining whether or not a search condition input operation has progressed;
When the progress monitoring means determines that the input operation does not proceed, a search condition that can be searched by the information search device is acquired based on a search keyword in the search when it is determined that the input operation does not proceed And a search condition presenting means for presenting to the user,
The progress monitoring means includes:
The operation history of the user in the information search device is acquired, and it is determined that the input operation does not proceed when there is an operation that passes the same menu hierarchy a predetermined number of times or more in the information search device. Input auxiliary device. The search keyword used for acquiring the search condition is determined that the input operation does not proceed from the start of passing through the same menu layer when the progress monitoring means determines that the input operation does not proceed. The input auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the input keyword is a plurality of search keywords designated by the user until immediately before. The search keyword used to acquire the search condition is a search keyword specified by a user immediately before the progress monitoring means determines that the input operation does not proceed. Input assist device. The progress monitoring means acquires a plurality of search keywords input by a user before searching for a search result corresponding to a predetermined purpose, monitors the search keyword input status of the user, and inputs a search condition. The input auxiliary device according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the operation is advanced. An input assistance method for assisting input of search conditions in an information search apparatus for searching for information based on a search keyword designated by a user and presenting a search result,
A progress monitoring step of monitoring a user's search keyword input status in the information search device and determining whether or not a search condition input operation has progressed;
When it is determined in the progress monitoring step that the input operation does not proceed, a search condition that can be searched in the information search device is acquired based on a search keyword in the search when it is determined that the input operation does not proceed And a search condition presentation step presented to the user,
In the progress monitoring step,
The operation history of the user in the information search device is acquired, and it is determined that the input operation does not proceed when there is an operation that passes the same menu hierarchy a predetermined number of times or more in the information search device. Input assist method. A program for an input assisting device that assists in inputting search conditions in an information retrieval device that retrieves information based on a search keyword designated by a user and presents a search result,
A progress status monitoring step of monitoring a user's search keyword input status in the information search device and determining whether or not a search condition input operation has progressed;
When it is determined in the progress monitoring step that the input operation does not proceed, a search condition that can be searched in the information search device is acquired based on a search keyword in the search when it is determined that the input operation does not proceed And causing the computer to execute a search condition presenting step to be presented to the user,
In the progress monitoring step,
The operation history of the user in the information search device is acquired, and it is determined that the input operation does not proceed when there is an operation that passes the same menu hierarchy a predetermined number of times or more in the information search device. program.

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