JP2009301498A - Query replacement retrieval server, retrieval method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a query replacement retrieval server, a retrieval method and a program for easily providing information desired by a user. <P>SOLUTION: This query replacement retrieval server includes: an analyzing part 11 for analyzing character information created based on voice information or image information in a broadcast program; an extraction part 12 for extracting a feature word such as a store name based on the analytic result; a table creation part 13 for creating a program log information table in which the extracted feature word such as the store name and a relevant phrase relevant to the feature word such as the store name are associated with a program name; a program name DB14; a determination part 15 for, when accepting a retrieval request, determining whether or not it is possible to specify the program name from the query by referring to the program name DB14; and a retrieval part 16 for, when specifying the program name, selecting the feature word such as the store name based on the specified program name and the relevant phrase included in the query by referring to the program log information table, and for performing retrieval by replacing the query with the selected feature word such as the store name. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a query replacement search server, a search method, and a program that provide information desired by a user based on a query input by the user.

  In recent years, innumerable web pages exist on the Internet, and it is not easy to search for a target web page. Therefore, a search engine is provided to assist the search for the target web page.

  Using such a search engine, a user searches for a target web page by inputting various keywords in combination.

  For example, a user searches for desired information using a search engine when he / she wants to know more detailed information introduced in a previously viewed television program (see, for example, cited document 1). ).

Here, when the user can input a suitable keyword (for example, an accurate store name), the target information can be easily obtained by using a search engine. If you cannot enter such a suitable keyword, you can devise a combination of keywords to be input to the search engine or go through multiple web pages before reaching the target information. It takes time and effort. In addition, despite the existence of a web page desired by the user, the user may give up access to the desired web page due to the labor and time for such a search.
JP 2003-219374 A

  The present invention provides a query replacement search server, a search method, and a program that can easily provide information desired by a user even when information related to a broadcasted program is not searched using a suitable keyword. The purpose is to provide.

(1) analysis means for analyzing character information created based on audio information or image information in a broadcast program;
Extraction means for extracting feature words of the program based on the result analyzed by the analysis means;
Table generating means for generating a program log information table by associating the feature word extracted by the extracting means, a related phrase related to the feature word, and a program name of the program with program identification information for identifying the program;
A program name storage unit storing the program name;
When accepting a search request using an arbitrary character string as a query, a determination unit that refers to the program name storage unit and determines whether or not a program name can be specified from a phrase included in the query;
When the program name can be specified by the determination means, the program log information table is referred to based on the program name, the feature word and the related word phrase stored in association with the specified program name, the query, A query replacement search server comprising: search means for executing a search by replacing the query with the feature word.

  According to the invention according to (1), when a search request is received by a query that can specify a program name, the search is executed by replacing with a feature word such as a store name instead of executing the search by the query.

  In this way, according to the invention according to (1), when a search using a proper keyword is not performed by the user, the search is performed by replacing (substituting) the proper keyword under a certain condition. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide information desired by the user.

(2) a place specifying means for specifying the place where the search request is issued;
Area information acquisition means for acquiring information of a broadcast area where the program is broadcast;
A determination means for comparing the place specified by the place specifying means and the broadcast area acquired by the area information acquisition means, and determining whether or not the place is included in the broadcast area; and
The search means includes
If it is determined by the determining means that the location is included in the broadcast area, the query is replaced with the feature word, and a search is performed.
The query replacement search server according to (1), wherein when the determination unit determines that the place is not included in the broadcast area, the query is searched for.

  According to the invention according to (2), when the place where the user makes a search request using an arbitrary character string as a query is included in the area where the program specified by the query is broadcast, the search is performed by the query. Instead of executing the above, the search is executed by replacing with a feature word such as a store name.

  In this way, according to the invention according to (2), when a search by a suitable keyword is not performed by a user in the area where the program is broadcast, it is replaced with a suitable keyword under a certain condition ( Since the search is performed (with replacement), it is possible to easily provide information desired by the user. In addition, when a search is performed by a user who is not in the area where the program is broadcast, it is assumed that the user does not want information related to the program and is not replaced with other words and phrases. A street search is performed.

(3) a location specifying means for specifying the location where the search request is issued;
Area information acquisition means for acquiring information of a broadcast area where the program is broadcast;
A determination means for comparing the place specified by the place specifying means and the broadcast area acquired by the area information acquisition means, and determining whether or not the place is included in the broadcast area; and
The search means includes
If it is determined by the determining means that the location is included in the broadcast area, the query is replaced with the feature word, and a search is performed.
When the determination unit determines that the location is not included in the broadcast area, the query is replaced with the feature word, and a search is performed by adding a character string indicating the location. The query replacement search server according to (1).

  According to the invention according to (3), when the place where the user makes a search request using an arbitrary character string as a query is included in the area where the program specified by the query is broadcast, the query If the location where the user made a search request using an arbitrary character string as a query is not included in the area where the program specified by the query is broadcast, The query is replaced with a characteristic word such as a store name, and a search is executed with a character string indicating the location where the user is located.

  In this way, according to the invention according to (3), when a search by a suitable keyword is not performed by a user located in the area where the program is broadcast, the keyword is qualified under a certain condition. Since the search is performed after replacement (replacement), information desired by the user can be easily provided. In addition, when a search is performed by a user who is not in the area where the program was broadcast, the search is performed under a certain condition by replacing (replacement) with a suitable keyword and attaching a character string indicating the location where the user is located. Therefore, for example, when the branch of the shop introduced in the program exists in the area where the user is located, it is possible to provide information regarding the branch.

  (4) The query replacement according to (1), wherein when the program name cannot be specified by the determination unit from the phrase included in the received query, the search unit performs a search by the received query. Search server.

  According to the invention according to (4), when the program name cannot be specified from the query, a normal search is executed by the query without replacing with other words.

(5) an analysis step of analyzing character information created based on audio information or image information in the broadcasted program;
An extraction step of extracting feature words of the program based on the result of analysis by the analysis step;
A table generation step of generating a program log information table by associating the feature word extracted by the extraction step, a related phrase related to the feature word, and a program name of the program with program identification information for identifying the program;
When a search request is accepted using an arbitrary character string as a query, a determination is made as to whether or not a program name can be specified from a phrase included in the query by referring to a program name storage unit in which a specific program name is registered Process,
When the program name can be identified by the determination step, the feature word and the related word phrase stored in association with the identified program name with reference to the program log information table based on the program name, the query, And a search step of executing a search by replacing the query with the feature word.

  According to the invention according to (5), when a search request is received by a query that can specify a program name, a search is executed by replacing with a feature word such as a store name instead of executing a search by the query.

  As described above, according to the invention according to (5), when a search using a proper keyword is not performed by the user, the search is performed by replacing (substituting) the proper keyword under a certain condition. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide information desired by the user.

  (6) A program for causing a computer to execute the method described in (5) above.

  According to such a configuration, the same effect as in (5) can be expected by causing the computer to execute the program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily provide information desired by a user even when a search using a suitable keyword is not performed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[Entire system configuration]
FIG. 1 shows an information processing system 1 including a server 10, a broadcast station 30, and a user terminal 40 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes one server 10, one broadcast station 30, and one user terminal 40. However, the information processing system 1 is not limited to this, and includes a plurality of units. May be.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310 (a plurality of CPUs such as a CPU 320 may be added in a multiprocessor configuration), a bus line 200, and a communication I / F. (I / F: interface) 330, main memory 340, BIOS (Basic Input Output System) 350, I / O controller 360, hard disk 370, optical disk drive 380, and semiconductor memory 390. The hard disk 370, the optical disk drive 380, and the semiconductor memory 390 are collectively referred to as a storage device 410.

  The control unit 300 is a part that controls the server 10 in an integrated manner, and by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the hard disk 370, the control unit 300 cooperates with the hardware described above, and performs various functions according to the present invention. Realized.

  The communication I / F 330 is a network adapter when the server 10 transmits / receives information to / from other devices such as the user terminal 40 via the network.

  The BIOS 350 records a boot program executed by the CPU 310 when the server 10 is started up, a program depending on the hardware of the server 10, and the like.

  A storage device 410 such as a hard disk 370, an optical disk drive 380, and a semiconductor memory 390 can be connected to the I / O controller 360.

  The hard disk 370 stores various programs for causing the hardware to function as the server 10, a program for executing the functions of the present invention, a table to be described later, and the like. The server 10 can also use an external hard disk (not shown) as an external storage device.

  As the optical disk drive 380, for example, a DVD-ROM drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, or a CD-RAM drive can be used. In this case, the optical disk 400 corresponding to each drive is used. A program or data can be read from the optical disk 400 by the optical disk drive 380 and provided to the main memory 340 or the hard disk 370 via the I / O controller 360.

  Note that the computer in the present invention refers to an information processing device including a storage device, a control unit, and the like, and the server 10 includes an information processing device including a storage device 410, a control unit 300, and the like. The apparatus is included in the computer concept of the present invention.

  Further, the server 10 according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, so that audio information (for example, conversation) and image information (for example, video) included in a program broadcast by the broadcast station 30 are included in the video. A search expression that extracts a predetermined word / phrase (for example, a store name) from a certain telop and accesses a predetermined web page related to the predetermined word / phrase (for example, a web page operated and managed by the previously extracted store) (Query) is created, and when a search request is transmitted from the user terminal 40, it has a function of executing a search by replacing the search request query with the search expression under a certain condition.

  Here, a configuration for exhibiting the function will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG. The server 10 includes an analysis unit 11 (analysis unit), an extraction unit 12 (extraction unit), a table generation unit 13 (table generation unit), a program name DB (program name storage unit) 14, and a determination unit 15 (determination). Means) and a search unit 16 (search means).

  The analysis unit 11 analyzes character information created based on audio information or image information in the broadcast program. Here, for example, the analysis unit 11 receives a broadcasted program, and words (voice information) spoken by performers in the program, or telop (image information) displayed as an image on the video. Is converted to text (character information) and the content of the text is analyzed. Note that the image information is not limited to the telop, but may be any image that can be converted into the text included in the video.

  The extraction unit 12 extracts feature words (such as a store name) of the program based on the result analyzed by the analysis unit 11. Here, the extracting unit 12 uses, for example, tf-idf (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency, an algorithm for extracting characteristic words (words regarded as important) in sentences) after analysis. Extract multiple words from information.

  The table generation unit 13 associates the feature word extracted by the extraction unit 12, a related word / phrase related to the feature word, and a program name of the program with program identification information (program ID) for identifying the program. An information table A is generated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the table generation unit 13 is assigned a program ID for each program, a feature name such as a program name, a broadcast date and time, a store name, and a relationship related to the feature word. A phrase or the like is generated as one record. Further, in a certain program, when there is one feature word extracted by the extraction unit 12, the record includes “feature word 1”, “related phrase 1 of feature word 1”, and “relationship of feature word 1”. "Word 2" is registered, and when there are a plurality of feature words extracted by the extraction unit 12, the record includes "feature word 1", "related word 1 of feature word 1", "feature word" 1 related words / phrases 2 ”,“ feature words 2 ”,“ related words / phrases 1 of feature words 2 ”,“ related words / phrases 2 of feature words 2 ”,... In this embodiment, the number of related words of the feature word is two. However, the number of related words is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more (if there are a plurality of feature words, The more related terms, the easier it is to select related feature words). The program log information table A is not limited to the above-described form, as long as the program name, the characteristic word (store name, etc.), and the related phrase are associated with each other. The program log information table A is stored in the program log information table DB 20.

  A specific program name is registered in the program name DB 14. The program name DB 14 stores a plurality of program names.

  When the determination unit 15 receives a search request using an arbitrary character string as a query, the determination unit 15 refers to the program name DB 14 and determines whether or not the program name can be specified from the words included in the query. For example, the determination unit 15 has a configuration in which the program name can be specified not only when an accurate program name is included in the query but also when the query is expressed by a phrase that seems to be similar, such as an abbreviation. It has become.

  Here, the program name DB 14 will be described. The server 10 has in advance detailed broadcast information (program name, broadcast time, information on the entire program regarding performers, etc.) for each program, and generates a program information index based on the broadcast information. The program information index is registered in the program name DB 14 in advance. The determining unit 15 refers to the program information index registered in the program name DB 14 to identify the program name based on the words included in the query. In addition, as the program information index, for example, an index consisting only of a program name, an index consisting of a combination of a program name and a category name (category names such as performers and gourmets), and individual items (specific performers) An index consisting of a name, a specific store name, etc.) can be considered. Therefore, when the phrase included in the query corresponds to the program information index, the determination unit 15 can specify the program name associated with the program information index.

  Further, the server 10 may have a function of deleting a program information index related to a program when a certain time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed since the end of the broadcast time. According to such a configuration, after a certain time has elapsed since the broadcast time of the program ended, the entire program page (input assistance) composed of a plurality of information elements related to the program is not displayed as a search result. It is possible to prevent the entire program page from being displayed to a user who does not want information on the program. In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process for generating the entire program page can be omitted, and the processing load can be reduced.

  In addition, the analysis unit 11 is configured not to access the program name DB 14 by determining that the information element is not included for the program after a certain time has elapsed since the broadcast time of the program ends. May be. According to such a configuration, since a determination by the analysis unit 11 is not made after a certain period of time has elapsed since the broadcast time of the program ends, a normal search result based on the query is displayed as the search result. However, since the entire program page (input assistance) composed of a plurality of information elements related to the program is not displayed, the entire program page can be prevented from being displayed to a user who does not want information on the program. In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process for generating the entire program page can be omitted, and the processing load can be reduced.

  When the determination unit 15 can identify the program name, the search unit 16 refers to the program log information table A based on the program name, stores the characteristic words and related words and phrases stored in association with the identified program name, the query And a feature word is selected, and the search is executed by replacing the selected feature word.

  According to such a configuration, in the present invention, when a search request is received by a query that can specify a program name, the search is not performed by the query but is replaced by a feature word such as a store name. Even if the search is not performed by a feature word such as a store name by the user, the search is executed by the feature word, so that information on the store desired by the user (for example, the home page of the store) ) Can be easily accessed.

[Processing procedure]
Here, a specific processing procedure that can be realized when the present invention is applied will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The processing procedure shown below is an example, and there are innumerable processing procedures that can be realized in addition to this.

  Note that the server 10 according to the present invention may target a program (a program of a specific genre (variety, etc.) that is broadcast in a single or a plurality of broadcasting stations (all programs regardless of genre). The text information created based on the information introduced in (for example, spoken words in conversation), and extract feature words such as store names based on the analysis results, The extracted characteristic words such as the store name and the related words (for example, “shop”, “Tokyo”, etc.) are registered in the program log information table A (see FIG. 4).

  A store (restaurant or restaurant) introduced (appeared) in the program (particularly, the content of the performer in the program or the narration) when the user is watching a TV program. If you are interested in a store or the like) and want to obtain more detailed information about the store, you can search the Internet using the Internet.

  In step S1, the user terminal 40 transmits a search keyword to the server 10 via the network. Here, when the search keyword is transmitted to the server 10, if the user does not remember an important keyword (feature word) such as the name of the store to be searched, the search keyword X is appropriate for the search window X in the browser. As a simple search keyword, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that “AAA store Shinjuku” is input, the search button Y is clicked, and the search keyword is transmitted.

  In step S <b> 2, the server 10 determines whether or not it can be replaced with a feature word based on the search keyword transmitted from the user terminal 40 (the search keyword in which the word “shop” is added to the specific program name). Based on the search keyword, the server 10 refers to the program name DB 14 to determine whether or not the program name can be specified, and if the program name cannot be specified, the process proceeds to step S3 and the program name can be specified. In this case, the server 10 identifies the program name “AAA” based on the search keyword (“AAA store Shinjuku”) and proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 3, the server 10 performs a search using the search keyword transmitted from the user terminal 40 as usual.

  In step S4, the server 10 refers to the record in which the program name “AAA” in the program log information table A is registered, and as a related term, the characteristic words (“ XX Hotel ”is selected, and the search keyword (“ AAA store Shinjuku ”) is replaced with (“ XX ”hotel), and the search is executed.

  Even when a plurality of programs having the same program name are stored in the program log information table A, if the broadcast date and time can be estimated from the search keyword, the feature word associated with the program that matches the broadcast date and time is used. It can be replaced and is more preferable.

  For the user terminal 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, apart from the result of the general search, a search result “here is the shop and information introduced in the program“ AAA ”” is displayed. By clicking “Click here for shops and information introduced in the program“ AAA ”” with the mouse, it is possible to access the homepage of “XX Hotel” introduced in the program.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the server 10 further includes a location specifying unit 17 (location specifying unit), an area information acquisition unit 18 (area information acquisition unit), and a determination unit 19 (determination unit). It may be a configuration.

  The location specifying unit 17 specifies the location where the search request is issued. The location specifying unit 17 specifies a location where the search request is transmitted based on information (for example, an IP address) included in the information from which the user terminal 40 has transmitted the search request.

  The area information acquisition unit 18 acquires information on a broadcast area where the program is broadcast. The area information acquisition unit 18 refers to, for example, an EPG and acquires information on an area where the program is broadcast (for example, the Kanto region).

  The determination unit 19 compares the location specified by the location specifying unit 17 with the broadcast area acquired by the area information acquisition unit 18 and determines whether or not the location is included in the broadcast area.

  In the case of such a configuration, when the determination unit 19 determines that the place is included in the broadcast area, the search unit 16 replaces the query with a characteristic word such as a store name, and executes a search. If the determination unit 19 determines that the location is not included in the broadcast area, a search is performed using a query.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when a search request is accepted by a query that can specify a program name, the search is performed by the query when the place where the search request is made is included in the area where the program specified by the query is broadcast. The search is executed by replacing the feature word such as the store name with the feature word. Therefore, even if the search is not performed with the feature word such as the store name by the user, the search is executed with the feature word. Therefore, it is possible to easily access information related to the store that the user has desired (for example, the homepage of the store). When a search is performed by a user who is not in the area where the program is broadcast, the user is assumed not to want information related to the program, and is not replaced with other words. A street search is performed.

  In addition, when the determination unit 19 determines that the place is included in the broadcast area, the search unit 16 performs a search by replacing the query with a feature word such as a store name, and the determination unit 19 determines the location. When it is determined that the broadcast area is not included, the query may be replaced with a characteristic word such as a store name and a search may be performed by adding a character string indicating the location.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when a search request is accepted by a query that can specify a program name, the search is performed by the query when the place where the search request is made is included in the area where the program specified by the query is broadcast. The search is executed by replacing the feature word such as the store name with the feature word. Therefore, even if the search is not performed with the feature word such as the store name by the user, the search is executed with the feature word. Therefore, it is possible to easily access information related to the store that the user has desired (for example, the homepage of the store).

  In addition, when the place where the search request is made is not included in the area where the program specified by the query is broadcast, the search is not performed by the query, but is replaced with a feature word such as a store name, Since the search is performed with the character string indicating the location added, for example, when the branch of the store introduced in the program exists in the area where the user is located, information on the branch is provided. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the user terminal 40 has been described as performing a search using a browser having the search window X as illustrated in FIG. 6, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a browser configured by a dedicated search window X1 for inputting a program name and a search window X2 for inputting a free word may be used. According to such a browser, since it is known in advance that the program name is input to the search window X1, the program name can be easily specified in the determination unit 15.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to embodiment mentioned above. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

  In the present embodiment, the server 10 has been described as having a hard disk 370 and an optical disk drive 380. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the server 10 may have a structure without these drive systems, that is, a so-called zero spindle. good. In the case of such a configuration, the contents stored in the hard disk 370 are stored in the large-capacity semiconductor memory 390.

It is a figure which shows the information processing system comprised from the server which concerns on this embodiment, a broadcast station, and a user terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the typical structure of a program log information table. It is a flowchart with which it uses for description about the process sequence by the server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure where it uses for description about the procedure in which a search keyword is input into a search window by a user. It is a figure which shows the page of a search result typically. It is a figure where it uses for description about the interface at the time of searching.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Server 11 Analysis part (analysis means)
12 Extraction unit (extraction means)
13 Table generator (table generator)
14 Program name DB (program name storage unit)
15 Judgment part (judgment means)
16 Search part (search means)
17 place identification part (place identification means)
18 Area information acquisition unit (Area information acquisition means)
19 Determination part (determination means)
30 broadcasting station 40 user terminal

Claims (6)

An analysis means for analyzing character information created based on audio information or image information in a broadcast program;
Extraction means for extracting feature words of the program based on the result analyzed by the analysis means;
Table generating means for generating a program log information table by associating the feature word extracted by the extracting means, a related phrase related to the feature word, and a program name of the program with program identification information for identifying the program;
A program name storage unit storing the program name;
When accepting a search request using an arbitrary character string as a query, a determination unit that refers to the program name storage unit and determines whether or not a program name can be specified from a phrase included in the query;
When the program name can be specified by the determination means, the program log information table is referred to based on the program name, the feature word and the related word phrase stored in association with the specified program name, the query, A query replacement search server comprising: search means for executing a search by replacing the query with the feature word. A location identifying means for identifying a location where the search request is issued;
Area information acquisition means for acquiring information of a broadcast area where the program is broadcast;
A determination means for comparing the place specified by the place specifying means and the broadcast area acquired by the area information acquisition means, and determining whether or not the place is included in the broadcast area; and
The search means includes
If it is determined by the determining means that the location is included in the broadcast area, the query is replaced with the feature word, and a search is performed.
2. The query replacement search server according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the location is not included in the broadcast area, the query is searched using the query. A location identifying means for identifying a location where the search request is issued;
Area information acquisition means for acquiring information of a broadcast area where the program is broadcast;
A determination means for comparing the place specified by the place specifying means and the broadcast area acquired by the area information acquisition means, and determining whether or not the place is included in the broadcast area; and
The search means includes
If it is determined by the determining means that the location is included in the broadcast area, the query is replaced with the feature word, and a search is performed.
When the determination unit determines that the location is not included in the broadcast area, the query is replaced with the feature word, and a search is performed by adding a character string indicating the location. The query replacement search server according to claim 1.   2. The query replacement search server according to claim 1, wherein when the program name cannot be specified by the determination unit from the words included in the received query, the search unit executes the search by the received query. An analysis process for analyzing text information created based on audio information or image information in a broadcast program;
An extraction step of extracting feature words of the program based on the result of analysis by the analysis step;
A table generation step of generating a program log information table by associating the feature word extracted by the extraction step, a related phrase related to the feature word, and a program name of the program with program identification information for identifying the program;
When a search request is accepted using an arbitrary character string as a query, a determination is made as to whether or not a program name can be specified from a phrase included in the query by referring to a program name storage unit in which a specific program name is registered Process,
When the program name can be identified by the determination step, the feature word and the related word phrase stored in association with the identified program name with reference to the program log information table based on the program name, the query, And a search step of executing a search by replacing the query with the feature word.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 5.

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