JP2015106351A - Content distribution device and free word recommendation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recommend a free word matching the interest of a user.SOLUTION: In a content distribution device 100, a free word to be recommended to a user of an external terminal 200 is selected from among free word candidates stored in a free word candidate storage part 110 on the basis of a free word recommendation request from the external terminal 200 by a free word recommendation part 109, and the free word is transmitted to the external terminal 200. In this case, the free word candidates stored in the free word candidate storage part 110 are originally search words included in a search log stored in a search log storage part 105, and the search words are extracted as the free word candidates by a free word candidate extraction part 111. Therefore, it is possible to recommend the free word by using the past search result or the like of the user, and to recommend the free word matching the interest and taste or the like of the user.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution apparatus having a recommendation function in free word search and a free word recommendation method by the content distribution apparatus.

  Generally, when searching and browsing content using a genre search function using free word input, the user inputs one or more words (hereinafter referred to as “free words”) to narrow down related content. And need to search. If the user can select a free word that is considered to have a high probability of being input, and select and input from the recommended free word with one click of the mouse or one tap on the smartphone. , The burden on the free word input for the user is reduced.

  As a method for extracting a free word recommended to a user, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for extracting a characteristic word (important word) in a document viewed by the user. If the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used, it is considered that an important word included in a document browsed by the user in the past can be recommended as a free word.

JP2011-257878A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to extract important words from a document viewed by the user, it is not possible to specify the content that the user is really interested in, so the words that match the user's interest are extracted. It is difficult to do. In addition, although it may be preferable to recommend a free word composed of a plurality of words to the user, it is difficult to easily extract a free word composed of a plurality of words in the invention described in Patent Document 1. . Thus, in the invention described in Patent Literature 1, it may be difficult to recommend a free word that matches the user's interest.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a content distribution device capable of recommending a free word that matches a user's interest and the like, and a free word recommendation method using the content distribution device. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a content distribution apparatus according to the present invention includes a content storage unit that stores content and information that specifies the content in association with each other, information that specifies a user of a search terminal, a search word, Receiving a search request transmitted from the search terminal, extracting content related to the search word from the content stored in the content storage means, and transmitting the list to the search terminal. Search means for transmitting content selected by the user of the search terminal included in the list of content transmitted to the search terminal to the search terminal, and information for specifying the content selected by the user of the search terminal And a search log that associates the search word with information that identifies the user of the search terminal A search log storage means, a free word candidate extraction means for extracting the search word contained in the search log stored in the search log storage means as a free word candidate, and the free word candidate extraction means The free word candidate storing means for storing the free word candidate, and the free word recommendation request including information specifying the user of the external terminal from the external terminal, and the free word stored in the free word candidate storing means Based on the information stored in the search log storage means, a free word to be recommended to the user specified based on the information specifying the user of the external terminal is selected from the candidates and the external terminal is selected. And free word recommendation means for transmitting to.

  The free word recommendation method by the content distribution device according to the present invention is a free word recommendation method for an external terminal by a content distribution device comprising content storage means for storing content and information for specifying the content in association with each other. In the search means of the content distribution device, the content stored in the content storage means upon receiving a search request transmitted from the search terminal, including information specifying a user of the search terminal and a search word The content related to the search word is extracted and the list is transmitted to the search terminal, and the content selected in the list of content transmitted to the search terminal and selected by the user of the search terminal is searched for. A search step transmitted to the terminal; In the search log storage means of the content distribution apparatus, the information specifying the content selected by the user of the search terminal in the search step, the search word, and the information specifying the user of the search terminal are associated with each other A search log storing step for storing a search log, and a free word candidate extracting unit of the content distribution device for extracting the search word included in the search log stored in the search log storing step as a free word candidate A candidate extraction step; a free word candidate storage unit of the content distribution device; a free word candidate storage step of storing the free word candidate extracted in the free word candidate extraction step; and a free word recommendation unit of the content distribution device In A free word recommendation request including information identifying the user of the external terminal is received from the external terminal, and the free word candidates stored in the free word candidate storage means are stored in the search log storage means. A free word recommendation step of selecting a free word to be recommended for a user specified based on information for specifying a user of the external terminal based on the stored information and transmitting the selected free word to the external terminal; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the content distribution device and the free word recommendation method described above, in the free word recommendation unit, based on the free word recommendation request from the external terminal, the free word candidates stored in the free word candidate storage unit A free word to be recommended to the user specified based on the information specifying the user is selected and transmitted to the external terminal. Here, the free word candidates stored in the free word candidate storage means are obtained by extracting the search words included in the search log stored in the search log storage means as free word candidates. In other words, the free word candidate is a search word used in the past in the first place. In the search log storage means, since the search word is stored in association with the information for identifying the user who has performed the search, the recommended free word is determined for each user based on the search log for each user. Can be selected. As described above, according to the content distribution device and the free word recommendation method according to the present invention, it is possible to recommend a free word using a user's past search results, etc., and thus matches the user's interests and preferences. It is possible to recommend free words.

  Here, the search log storage means further stores the search date information, which is information specifying the date and time when the content selected by the user of the search terminal is selected by the user, and further stores the free word candidate extraction The means calculates a word popularity for each of the extracted search words based on the search date / time information, and the free word recommendation means determines the popularity of the word extracted by the free word candidate extraction means. Further, it is possible to adopt a mode in which a free word to be recommended for a user specified based on information specifying a user of the external terminal is selected.

  In this way, the search log storage means stores the search date information in association with each other, and selects the free word to be recommended based on the popularity of the word based on the search date information. Based on this, it is possible to select a free word that reflects a change in the interest of the user, and thus it is possible to recommend a free word that matches the user's interest and preference.

  In addition, when a content presentation request transmitted from the search terminal including information for identifying the user of the search terminal is received, a list of contents stored in the content storage unit is transmitted to the search terminal, and the search Content presenting means for transmitting to the search terminal the content selected by the user of the search terminal included in the list of content transmitted to the terminal; and information for specifying the content selected by the user of the search terminal; A browsing log storage unit that stores a browsing log that associates the information that identifies the user of the search terminal, and the free word recommendation unit includes the information stored in the content storage unit, The search log stored in the search log storage means and the search log storage means And using the browsing log, the degree of association between the user of the external terminal and each of the free word candidates is calculated, and based on the calculated degree of association, a free word to be recommended to the external terminal is selected. It can be set as an aspect.

  Thus, the degree of association between the user and the free word is calculated based on the information stored in the content storage means and the browsing log related to browsing of the content by the user, and the free word is calculated based on this. In the case of the selection mode, the degree of association between the user and the free word candidate is calculated from various operations performed by the user of the external terminal, including selection of content that does not involve search, for the content in the content distribution apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to recommend more relevant free words.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the free word recommendation method by the content delivery apparatus which can recommend the free word which matched user's interest, and this content delivery apparatus is provided.

It is a figure which shows the function structure of the content delivery apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the content stored in a content memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the information stored in a browsing log memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the information stored in a search log memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the information stored in a free word setting memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the information stored in a free word candidate memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of output of the recommended free word. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a content delivery apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which concerns on browsing of a content. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which registers a user's free word with a server by a free word registration part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which delivers a free word genre. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which concerns on the content search by free input. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which concerns on extraction of a free word candidate. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which concerns on a free word recommendation. It is a flowchart which shows the calculation procedure of a free word personalized score.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Configuration of content distribution device)
FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the content distribution apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The content distribution apparatus 100 is an apparatus that is connected to the external terminal 200 via the network N and distributes content in response to a request from the external terminal 200. Specifically, after a content list is transmitted in response to a request from the external terminal 200, the content selected by the external terminal 200 from the list is transmitted. Although only one external terminal 200 is shown in FIG. 1, there are naturally a plurality of external terminals 200. The external terminal 200 also has a function as a search terminal that executes a search by a search word for the purpose of browsing content.

  Further, among the contents held in the content distribution apparatus 100, a method of using “search by free input” and “genre search by selecting free words” as a method of extracting only content of a genre that the user is interested in. And a method of using. Here, “genre search by selecting a free word (free word genre search)” is a combination of one or more words that can be used as a genre for classifying content stored in the content distribution apparatus 100. Of these, by setting in advance as a free word a word that is frequently used because it corresponds to the user's interests, etc., the user can easily perform a search using the corresponding free word. is there. Both “search by free input” and “genre search by selecting free words” correspond to searches using “search words”.

  In addition, as a function that is a feature of the content distribution apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, there is a function for facilitating selection of content of the external terminal 200 by using information related to content browsed in the past. Specifically, the content distribution apparatus 100 recommends one or more words (free words) related to the user of the external terminal 200 to the external terminal 200 so that the user can input a free word for viewing the content. It has a function to reduce the burden related to. The content distribution apparatus 100 has a feature of storing information related to content browsed in the past and selecting a free word to be transmitted to the external terminal 200 based on this information. In the following embodiment, a device configuration of the content distribution device 100 having such characteristics and a processing method thereof will be described.

  The content distribution apparatus 100 can communicate with the external terminal 200 via a network N such as a wireless communication network. Specifically, the external terminal 200 is a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, a content distribution apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 130, a content storage unit 101 (content storage unit), a content return unit 102 (content presentation unit), a browsing log storage unit 103 (browsing log storage unit), a content Search unit 104 (search unit), search log storage unit 105 (search log storage unit), free word genre return unit 106, free word registration unit 107, free word setting storage unit 108, free word recommendation unit 109 (free word recommendation unit) ), A free word candidate storage unit 110 (free word candidate storage unit), a free word candidate extraction unit 111 (free word candidate extraction unit), and a free word personalized score calculation unit 112.

  The communication unit 130 has a function of transmitting / receiving information to / from the external terminal 200. The information transmitted from the external terminal 200 includes, for example, a content list transmission request, a content transmission request, a free word recommendation request, and the like. The information transmitted from the communication unit 130 to the external terminal 200 is transmitted in response to a request from the external terminal 200. For example, a list of contents, a content, a list of recommended free words, and the like are included. included. When the communication unit 130 receives information from the external terminal 200, the content return unit 102, the content search unit 104, the free word genre return unit 106, and the free word registration unit 107 are referred to by referring to the content of the request included in the information. In addition, it has a function of delivering information from the external terminal 200 to any of the free word recommendation unit 109 and transmitting information acquired from these functional units to the external terminal 200.

  The content storage unit 101 has a function of storing content that can be provided to the external terminal 200. An example of content stored in the content storage unit 101 is shown in FIG. In the content storage unit 101, a content ID as information for specifying content and the content (title and headquarters) of the content are stored in association with each other.

  The content return unit 102 has a function of providing a content list (content list) based on a request (content presentation request) from the external terminal 200 and providing the content selected by the external terminal 200. When there is a content list provision request including a user ID that is information for identifying a user from the external terminal 200, the content return unit 102 displays a content list that is a list of content stored in the content storage unit 101. To provide against. When a content browsing request including information (user ID) for identifying a user is acquired from the external terminal 200 that provides the content list, the corresponding content is acquired from the content storage unit 101 and stored in the external terminal 200. It has a function to distribute. Since the content browsing request from the external terminal 200 is specified and transmitted using the content ID, the content return unit 102 can acquire the content from the content storage unit 101 based on the content ID. it can. When a content browsing request is acquired from the external terminal 200, it is determined that the user has browsed the corresponding content, and processing for updating information in the browsing log storage unit 103 described later is also performed.

  The browsing log storage unit 103 has a function of storing a log transmitted from the content return unit 102 to the external terminal 200 and browsed by the user of the external terminal 200. An example of information stored in the browsing log storage unit 103 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, in the browsing log storage unit 103, information (user ID) for specifying a user and information (content ID) for specifying a content are stored in association with the browsing date and time. The browsing date and time here may be the date and time when the content is transmitted to the external terminal 200, or may be the date and time when the user browses the content on the external terminal 200. Information stored in the browsing log storage unit 103 is used when determining a free word to be recommended to the user.

  The content search unit 104 has a function of searching and transmitting content based on a search request (search request by free input) transmitted from the external terminal 200. Specifically, the search request transmitted from the external terminal 200 includes information for identifying the user (user ID) and one or more words (search word) used for the search. The search word here is, for example, a word that is freely input by the user on the external terminal 200. When a search request is acquired from the external terminal 200, the content search unit 104 refers to the content storage unit 101, and acquires a list of content whose search word is included in the text or title. When the search word is composed of a plurality of words, a content list including all the words may be acquired, or a content list including at least one word may be acquired. When a content browsing request including information (user ID) for identifying a user is acquired from the external terminal 200 that provides the content list, the corresponding content is acquired from the content storage unit 101 and stored in the external terminal 200. It has a function to distribute. Since the content browsing request from the external terminal 200 is specified and transmitted using the content ID, the content return unit 102 can acquire the content from the content storage unit 101 based on the content ID. it can. When a content browsing request is acquired from the external terminal 200, the content search unit 104 also performs a process of updating information in a search log storage unit 105 described later.

  The search log storage unit 105 has a function of storing a log transmitted from the content search unit 104 to the external terminal 200 and viewed by the user of the external terminal 200. An example of information stored in the search log storage unit 105 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, in the search log storage unit 105, information specifying a user (user ID), a search word used for search, and information specifying a content (content ID) correspond to the search date and time. Stored with. The search date and time here can be the date and time when the content is transmitted to the external terminal 200. Moreover, it can also be set as the aspect which replaces with a search date, and stores a browsing date. Information stored in the search log storage unit 105 is used when determining a free word to be recommended to the user.

  The free word genre return unit 106 has a function of searching for content based on a search request (free word genre acquisition request) transmitted from the external terminal 200 and transmitting the content. Specifically, the search request transmitted from the external terminal 200 includes information for identifying the user (user ID) and a free word (search word) used for the search. The search word here is, for example, a word set and registered as a free word by the user in advance.

  Note that the free word according to the present embodiment refers to a combination of one or more words set by the user based on the user's interest or the like. By setting the free word in advance by the user, the set free word is displayed on the search screen when browsing the content. For example, the user does not need to input the word one character at a time for searching the content. can do.

  When the free word genre return unit 106 acquires a search request from the external terminal 200, the free word genre return unit 106 refers to the content storage unit 101 and acquires a list of contents in which the free word is included in the text or title. . When the free word is composed of a plurality of words, a content list including all the words may be acquired, or a content list including at least one word may be acquired. When a content browsing request including information (user ID) for identifying a user is acquired from the external terminal 200 that provides the content list, the corresponding content is acquired from the content storage unit 101 and stored in the external terminal 200. It has a function to distribute. Since the content browsing request from the external terminal 200 is specified and transmitted using the content ID, the free word genre return unit 106 acquires the content from the content storage unit 101 based on the content ID. be able to.

  When a content browsing request is acquired from the external terminal 200, the free word genre return unit 106 also performs processing for updating information in the search log storage unit 105. At this time, the free word used for the search transmitted from the external terminal 200 is stored as “search word” in the search log storage unit 105, which is different from the storage of the search result by the content search unit 104.

  The free word registration unit 107 registers the free word used by the user of the external terminal 200 in the free word setting storage unit 108 based on a request transmitted from the external terminal 200 including information for identifying the user (user ID). It has the function to do.

  The free word setting storage unit 108 has a function of storing free words for each user of the external terminal 200. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the free word setting storage unit 108 stores a free word selected by the user in association with information (user ID) for specifying the user. The information stored in the free word setting storage unit 108 is used to preferentially display as a search candidate when the user performs a search, and is also used when selecting a free word to be recommended to the user. .

  When the free word recommendation unit 109 acquires a free word recommendation request including information (user ID) for specifying a user of the external terminal 200 from the external terminal 200, the free word recommendation unit 109 has a function of selecting a free word to be recommended according to the user's preference. . The free word selected by the free word recommendation unit 109 is transmitted from the communication unit 130 to the external terminal 200 and presented to the user by displaying the screen on the external terminal 200, for example. A method of selecting a free word by the free word recommendation unit 109 will be described later.

  The free word candidate storage unit 110 has a function of storing free words that are candidates for the free word recommendation unit 109 to select a free word to be recommended to the user. Free word candidates are stored by a free word candidate extraction unit 111 described later. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a word (including a combination of a plurality of words) as a free word candidate and a “trend score” related to the word are stored in association with each other.

  Here, the trend score is an index indicating how recently the target search word has been used for the search, that is, a value indicating the popularity of the word. If the time used for the search is recent, it is considered that some event related to the search word has occurred at a closer time, and the user may be more interested. On the other hand, when the period not used for the search is long, the user's interest may have already shifted from the search word to another word. In this way, by obtaining the trend score, it is possible to estimate a search word that is more likely to be of interest to the user.

  The trend score can be obtained from the score set based on the elapsed time from the time when the corresponding word (free word candidate) is used as the search word, for example, and using the following formula (1) Can be calculated.

  In Expression (1), the search log attenuation parameter 1 and the search log attenuation parameter 2 are set in advance by the administrator of the content distribution apparatus 100 or the like. The elapsed time refers to the elapsed time from the time when it is used as a search word. The trend score is calculated using the numerical value derived from the above formula (1), and a specific calculation method of the trend score and a free word selection method using the trend score will be described later.

  The free word candidate extraction unit 111 has a function of referring to the search log storage unit 105 and extracting free word candidates to be recommended to the user. Specifically, “search words” stored in the search log storage unit 105 are extracted as free word candidates. The extracted free word candidates are stored in the free word candidate storage unit 110. The free word candidate extraction unit 111 has a function of calculating the above-described trend score for each extracted free word candidate.

  The free word personalized score calculation unit 112 has a function of calculating a personalized score used when selecting a free word to be recommended to the user.

  The personalized score is a numerical value of how much a specific user uses a specific search word, and is calculated in association with one search word and one user. Although the calculation method will be described later, the free word recommendation unit 109 selects a free word to be recommended to the user using the personalized score calculated by the free word personalized score calculation unit 112 and the above-described trend score. .

  The free word selected by the free word recommendation unit 109 is transmitted from the communication unit 130 to the external terminal 200 via the network N. The external terminal 200 performs processing such as displaying the recommended free word on the monitor and presents it to the user. FIG. 7 shows an example of the output of recommended free words. FIG. 7 shows an input screen when the user registers a free word, and five combinations of one or more words are displayed in an area F1 called “recommended free word” in the area F0 of the entire screen. Thus, the recommended free word is displayed in the area F1, and the user can select a free word with one click by selecting an interesting one from these free words. This reduces the burden on the user. Note that the output example of the free word is not limited to the above. For example, when searching by free input, the recommended free word may be displayed at the same time.

  FIG. 8 shows a hardware configuration of the content distribution apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the content distribution apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1001, a random access memory (RAM) 1002 and a read only memory (ROM) 1003, a communication module 1004 for communication, In addition, the computer is configured to include a computer including hardware such as an auxiliary storage device 1005 such as a hard disk. The functions of the content distribution apparatus 100 described above are exhibited when these components are operated by a program or the like. The above is the configuration of the content distribution apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  Next, processing executed by the content distribution apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 15.

(About viewing content)
Initially, the content delivery method by the content delivery apparatus 100 is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 9, processing by the content return unit 102 will be mainly described. Note that FIG. 9 illustrates a case where a search word is not used, that is, no narrowing down is performed when a list for browsing content is acquired.

  First, the communication unit 130 of the content distribution apparatus 100 receives a content presentation request including a user ID from the external terminal 200 (S01: content presentation step). The content presentation unit is sent from the communication unit 130 to the content return unit 102. When the content return unit 102 receives the content presentation unit, the content return unit 102 refers to the content storage unit 101 and acquires a content set that is a list of content (S02: content presentation step). The content set acquired here includes information (content ID) for specifying the content, the title of the content, and the body text. However, only the content ID and the title may be used. Next, the content return unit 102 transmits a content list including the content ID and title of each content in the content set acquired in the previous step S02 from the communication unit 130 to the external terminal 200 via the network N (S03: content). Presentation step).

  Thereafter, the content return unit 102 waits for a content browsing request from a user who has referred to the content list (S04). Here, if the user does not browse the content included in the content list (NO), the process ends here. On the other hand, when the user desires to browse some content (YES), a request for browsing the content including the content ID of the content that the user wants to browse is transmitted from the external terminal 200 via the network N, and the content return unit 102 Then, this is received (S05: content presentation step). At this time, the content return unit 102 configures a browsing log based on the user ID received when the content list provision request is received (S01) and the content ID received when the content browsing request is received (S05). Registration is made in the browsing log storage unit 103 (S06: browsing log storage step). That is, one row related to the current browsing is added to the table shown in FIG.

  Next, the content return unit 102 transmits the title and text of the content corresponding to the content ID received when receiving the content browsing request from the communication unit 130 to the external terminal 200 of the user via the network N (S07: content presentation). Step). As a result, on the external terminal 200, the content specified by the content ID is browsed by the user. If the user wishes to browse content different from the above content (S08-NO), the process related to content browsing (S05-S07) is repeated, and the user finishes browsing (S08-YES). ) Ends the series of processes.

(Regarding free word registration)
Next, a procedure for registering the user's free word in the server by the free word registration unit 107 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is performed when the user transmits a request for free word registration from the external terminal 200.

  First, when a request for free word registration is transmitted from the external terminal 200, it is sent from the communication unit 130 to the free word registration unit 107 (S11). The free word registration request received by the free word registration unit 107 includes a user ID and a free word to be registered. The free word registration unit 107 updates the free word setting storage unit 108 based on the user ID and free word included in the request for free word registration (S12). That is, the table shown in FIG. 5 is updated. This completes a series of processing. In addition, after updating the free word setting storage unit 108, a message for notifying the user that the update has been performed (registration is completed) is transmitted from the communication unit 130 to the external terminal 200. Also good.

(About free word genre result acquisition)
Next, a procedure in which the free word genre return unit 106 narrows down the content with the free word designated by the user and distributes the content to the external terminal 200 as the free word genre will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the free word genre return unit 106 receives a free word genre acquisition request via the network N from the external terminal 200 used by the user via the communication unit 130 (S21: search step). This free word genre acquisition request includes a user ID and a free word (a combination of one or more words) for which the user is requesting acquisition of a search result. Next, the free word genre return unit 106 refers to the information stored in the content storage unit 101 (see FIG. 2), and all of one or more words included in the free word included in the free word genre acquisition request are titles. Alternatively, a content set that is a list of contents included in the text is acquired (S22: search step). Next, the free word genre return unit 106 lists the content IDs and titles of each content included in the content set acquired from the content storage unit 101 and transmits them to the external terminal 200 from the communication unit 130 via the network N (S23). : Search step).

  Thereafter, the free word genre return unit 106 waits for a content browsing request from a user who refers to the list (S24). Here, if the user does not browse the content included in the list (NO), the process ends here. On the other hand, when the user desires to browse some content (YES), a request for browsing the content including the content ID of the content that the user wants to browse is transmitted from the external terminal 200 via the network N, and the free word genre is returned. The unit 106 receives this (S25: search step). At this time, the free word genre return unit 106 creates a search log based on the user ID received when the free word genre acquisition request is received (S21) and the content ID received when the content browsing request is received (S25). Configured and registered in the search log storage unit 105 (S26: search log storage step). That is, one row related to the current browsing is added to the table shown in FIG. Next, the free word genre return unit 106 transmits the title and body of the content corresponding to the content ID received when receiving the content browsing request from the communication unit 130 to the external terminal 200 of the user via the network N (S27: Search step). As a result, on the external terminal 200, the content specified by the content ID is browsed by the user. When the user desires to browse content different from the above content (S28-NO), the processing related to content browsing (S25 to S27) is repeated, and the user finishes browsing (S28-YES). ) Ends the series of processes.

(About content search by free input)
Next, a procedure in which the content search unit 104 distributes content as a search result by using a search word designated by free input by the user will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when receiving a content search request from the external terminal 200 used by the user via the network N, the communication unit 130 of the content distribution apparatus 100 passes the content search request to the content search unit 104 (S31: search step). ). The content search request includes a user ID and a search word. Next, the content search unit 104 refers to the information stored in the content storage unit 101 (see FIG. 2), and all of one or more words included in the search word included in the content search request are included in the title or text. A content set which is a list of included contents is acquired (S32: search step). Next, the content search unit 104 lists the content ID and title of each content included in the content set acquired from the content storage unit 101, and transmits the list to the external terminal 200 from the communication unit 130 via the network N (S33: Search). Step).

  Thereafter, the content search unit 104 waits for a content browsing request from a user who refers to the list (S34). Here, if the user does not browse the content included in the list (NO), the process ends here. On the other hand, if the user desires to browse some content (YES), a request for browsing the content including the content ID of the content that the user wants to browse is transmitted from the external terminal 200 via the network N, and the content search unit 104 Then, this is received (S35: search step). At this time, the content search unit 104 configures a search log based on the user ID received when the content search request is received (S31) and the content ID received when the content browse request is received (S35). Registration in the search log storage unit 105 (S36: search log storage step). That is, one row related to the current browsing is added to the table shown in FIG. Next, the content search unit 104 transmits the title and text of the content corresponding to the content ID received when the content browsing request is received from the communication unit 130 to the user's external terminal 200 via the network N (S37: search step). ). As a result, on the external terminal 200, the content specified by the content ID is browsed by the user. If the user wishes to browse content different from the above content (S38-NO), the process related to browsing the content (S35 to S37) is repeated, and the user finishes browsing (S28-YES). ) Ends the series of processes.

(About free word candidate extraction)
Next, a procedure in which the free word candidate extraction unit 111 refers to the search log storage unit 105 and extracts word combinations that are candidates for the free word recommendation will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is preferably performed periodically. For example, the process may be started once a day at a predetermined time.

  First, the free word candidate extraction unit 111 refers to the search log storage unit 105 and acquires a search log (S41: free word candidate extraction step). The log acquired here may be an entire search log, or a mode of acquiring a search log for the free word candidate extraction process from the latest, such as “for the past one week”, or a period longer than that. You can also Next, the free word candidate extraction unit 111 once deletes all the information stored in the free word candidate storage unit 110 (S42: free word candidate extraction step). Thereby, all the information stored in the free word candidate storage unit 110 is once erased.

  Next, the free word candidate extraction unit 111 performs the following processing (S43 to S47: free word candidate extraction step) on each search log acquired from the search log storage unit 105. First, the free word candidate extraction unit 111 determines whether the free word candidate field (the part corresponding to “free word candidate” in the table shown in FIG. 6) includes the same character string as the search word of the search log. Determine (S43). Here, when it is determined that the same character string is included (S43-YES), the free word candidate extraction unit 111 determines that the free word candidate in the free word candidate storage unit 110 is the same character string as the search word of the search log. Is calculated based on the above formula (1) (S44), and this is added to the “trend score” column corresponding to the free word candidate and updated (S45). Here, when it is determined that the same character string as the search word of the search log is not included (S43-NO), the free word candidate extraction unit 111 calculates a score based on Expression (1) (S46). ), A line in which the free word candidate is the search word of the search log and the trend score is the score calculated in the previous step (S46) is registered in the free word candidate storage unit 110 (S47: free) Word candidate storage step). The above process is performed for each line of the acquired search log, the trend score for each free word candidate is calculated, and the process ends.

  As described above, the user ID included in the search log storage unit 105 is not taken into consideration when performing processing related to extraction of free word candidates. That is, free word candidates are extracted using the search logs for all users.

(About free word recommendations)
A procedure in which the free word recommendation unit 109 selects a free word to be recommended according to the user's preference from the free word candidates in the free word candidate storage unit 110 will be described using the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining processing relating to free word recommendation, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing relating to calculation of a personalized score used for free word recommendation.

  In the present embodiment, the processing related to the free word recommendation is performed simultaneously with the above-described free word registration processing, and the processing result is presented on the free word registration screen as shown in FIG.

  First, a method for selecting a free word will be described with reference to FIG. First, the communication unit 130 receives a free word recommendation request from the external terminal 200 used by the user via the network N and passes it from the communication unit 130 to the free word recommendation unit 109 (S51: free word recommendation step). . The free word recommendation request includes a user ID. Next, the free word recommendation part 109 which acquired the free word recommendation request | requirement acquires the list of free word candidates stored in the free word candidate memory | storage part 110, and each trend score (S52: free word recommendation step).

  Next, the free word recommendation unit 109 executes the following processing (S53 to S56: free word recommendation step) for each free word candidate included in the list of free word candidates acquired from the free word candidate storage unit 110. First, the free word recommendation unit 109 refers to the free word setting storage unit 108 and determines whether the user specified by the user ID included in the free word recommendation request (S51) has registered the free word candidate as a free word. (S53). If it is determined that the word is registered as a free word (S53-YES), the process proceeds to the next free word candidate process. When it is determined that it is not registered as a free word (S53-NO), the free word recommendation unit 109 refers to the search log storage unit 105 and is identified by the user ID included in the free word recommendation request. The number of searches using the free word candidates performed by the user is tabulated (S54).

  Next, the user ID and the free word candidate included in the free word recommendation request are transferred to the free word personalized score calculation unit 112, and the calculated personalized score is received (S55).

  Here, processing related to the personalized score calculation will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the free word personalized score calculation unit 112 receives from the free word recommendation unit 109 a user ID for identifying a user whose personalized score is to be calculated and a personalized score calculation target word (S61).

  Next, the free word personalized score calculation unit 112 refers to the browsing log storage unit 103 and browses the target user, which is a set of content IDs stored in association with the same user ID as the target user's user ID. A content list is acquired (S62). Similarly, the free word personalized score calculation unit 112 refers to the search log storage unit 105, and sets the content ID of the row whose search word value is the same character string as the target word received from the free word recommendation unit 109. A search content list is acquired (S63). Next, the free word personalized score calculation unit 112 refers to the content storage unit 101, and acquires a representative content list in which the target word received from the free word recommendation unit 109 is included in the title as a partial character string (S64). ).

  Next, the free word personalized score calculation unit 112 uses the following mathematical formula (2) based on the browse content list, the search content list, and the representative content list acquired in the above steps (S62 to S64). Is calculated (S65).

Here, the coefficients w ₁ and w ₂ are set in advance by the administrator of the content distribution apparatus 100 or the like. A represents a set of content IDs included in the browse content list, B represents a set of content IDs included in the search content list, C represents a set of content IDs included in the representative content list, and | · | It represents a number. Next, the free word personalized score calculation unit 112 delivers the personalized score calculated in step 1305 to the free word recommendation unit 109.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the free word recommendation unit 109 obtains the trend score of the list of free word candidates acquired in step S 52, the number of searches by the target user related to the free word accumulated in step S 54 and the personalized score acquired in step S 55. Based on the following mathematical formula (3), a recommendation score related to the free word candidate is calculated (S56). As can be seen from Equation (3), the recommendation score is an index indicating the degree of association between each search word and the target user.

  In the above mathematical formula (3), the coefficients α, β, and γ are set in advance by the administrator of the content distribution apparatus 100 or the like. The above processing is performed for each free word candidate, and a recommendation score for each free word candidate is calculated. In addition, the calculation method of recommendation score is not limited above, A more suitable calculation method can be utilized.

  Finally, the free word recommendation unit 109 recommends N free word candidates having a high recommendation score calculated by the above processing (S54 to S56) from the free word candidates to the target user. Is transmitted to the external terminal 200 from the communication unit 130 via the network N (S57). Thereby, the free word which recommends with respect to the user of the external terminal 200 is transmitted with respect to the external terminal 200, and the said free word is shown with respect to a user.

  As described above, according to the content delivery device 100 and the free word recommendation method by the content delivery device 100 according to the present embodiment, the free word recommendation unit 109 determines the free word based on the free word recommendation request from the external terminal 200. From the free word candidates stored in the candidate storage unit 110, a free word to be recommended for the user specified based on the information for specifying the user of the external terminal 200 is selected and transmitted to the external terminal 200. Is done. At this time, the free word candidate stored in the free word candidate storage unit 110 is a search word included in the search log originally stored in the search log storage unit 105, and this is a free word candidate extraction unit 111. It is extracted as a word candidate. In other words, the free word candidate is a search word used in the past in the first place.

  In the search log storage unit 105, the search word is stored in association with the information specifying the user who performed the search, and the recommended free word is based on the information stored in the search log storage unit 105. Since the free word to be transmitted to the user of the external terminal 200 is selected, the recommended free word can be selected for each user based on, for example, a search log for each user. As described above, according to the content distribution device 100 and the free word recommendation method, it is possible to recommend a free word using a user's past search results and the like. It is possible to make recommendations.

  In addition, when selecting a free word to recommend using the past search results as described above, a free word consisting of a plurality of words is also generated based on the past search results etc. The free word is suitable after reducing the amount of calculation compared with the case where a combination of a plurality of words suitable as a recommended free word is verified one by one from a large number of words included in the content browsed in Can be recommended.

  Further, in the content distribution apparatus 100 and the free word recommendation method according to the present embodiment, the search log storage unit 105 stores search date information in association with each other. The free word candidate storage unit 110 stores a trend score indicating the popularity of the word based on the search date information, and the free word recommendation unit 109 selects a free word to be recommended based on the trend score. It is said that. As a result, it becomes possible to select a free word that reflects a change in the user's interest based on the search date and time information, so that a free word recommendation that matches the user's interest, preference, etc. can be made.

  Further, in the content distribution device 100 and the free word recommendation method according to the present embodiment, the information stored in the content storage unit 101 and the browsing log related to browsing of content by the user stored in the browsing log storage unit 103 are also included. Based on this, the degree of association between the user of the external terminal 200 that has transmitted the free word recommendation request and each free word candidate is calculated, and based on this, the free word to be recommended to the user is selected. As a result, with respect to the content in the content distribution apparatus 100, the user and the free word are selected based on the operations related to various contents performed by the user of the external terminal 200, including selection of the content by the user regardless of whether or not the search is performed. Since the degree of association with a candidate is calculated, a more relevant free word can be recommended.

  As mentioned above, although demonstrated to embodiment of this invention, the content delivery apparatus and free word recommendation method which concern on this invention are not limited to said embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the content distribution apparatus 100 has been described as one apparatus. However, the content distribution apparatus 100 can be realized as a system including a plurality of apparatuses, for example.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the content delivery apparatus 100 is provided with the browsing log memory | storage part 103 which stores a browsing log, and the search log memory | storage part 105 which stores a search log, A trend score and a personalized score are stored using the information stored in these. In the above description, the recommendation score is calculated after calculating the above. However, at least the information stored in the search log storage unit 105 can be used to obtain the effects of the content distribution device and the free word recommendation method according to the present invention. it can.

  Specifically, information related to a case where the user selects and browses content without performing a search using a search word, that is, information stored in the browse log storage unit 103 of the content distribution apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. Even if not, it is possible to recommend free words that match the user's interests and preferences. In this case, since the personalized score calculated by the above formula (2) based on the information stored in the browsing log storage unit 103 is 0, the recommendation score calculation formula shown by the formula (3) The third term of becomes zero. However, since the first term and the second term of the mathematical formula (3) can be calculated based on the information stored in the search log storage unit 105, it is possible to calculate a recommendation score for each free word candidate. As a result, it is possible to select a free word that matches the user's interests and preferences.

  Moreover, the calculation methods, such as a trend score, a personalized score, a recommendation score, used in the above embodiment are not limited to the above. That is, the present invention provides a trend score for evaluating the popularity of a search word, a personalized score indicating how much a specific user uses a specific search word, and a recommendation score indicating the degree of association between the user and the search word , Indicates that the recommended free word can be more suitably selected from the search word, and the calculation method of each score can be changed as appropriate.

  Information stored in the browsing log storage unit 103 and the search log storage unit 105 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the above embodiment, information related to content browsing when a search is performed using a search word and the content is selected and browsed is stored in the search log storage unit 105, and the content is selected without using the search word. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As an example of the change, among the information stored in the search log storage unit 105, the information specifying the user, the information specifying the content, and the search date and time (or browsing date and time) are stored in the search log storage unit 105 and viewed at the same time A method of storing in the log storage unit 103 is also exemplified. In this case, in the browsing log storage unit 103, information related to the content browsed by the user using the content distribution apparatus 100 is aggregated, and therefore the value obtained as the personalized score is different from that in the above embodiment. However, even in this case, it is possible to select a free word that matches the user's interests and preferences. As described above, the information stored in the search log storage unit 105 and the information stored in the browsing log storage unit 103 may partially overlap.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Content delivery apparatus 101 ... Content memory | storage part 102 ... Content return part 103 ... Browsing log memory | storage part 104 ... Content search part 105 ... Search log memory | storage part 106 ... Free word genre return part 107 ... Free word Registration unit 108... Free word setting storage unit 109. Free word recommendation unit 110. Free word candidate storage unit 111. Free word candidate extraction unit 112 112 Free word personalized score calculation unit

Claims (4)

Content storage means for storing the content and information for identifying the content in association with each other;
A search request including information for specifying a user of the search terminal and a search word is received from the search terminal and content related to the search word is received from the content stored in the content storage means. Search means for extracting and transmitting the list to the search terminal, and transmitting to the search terminal the content selected by the user of the search terminal included in the list of content transmitted to the search terminal;
Search log storage means for storing a search log in which information for specifying content selected by the user of the search terminal, the search word, and information for specifying the user of the search terminal are associated with each other;
Free word candidate extraction means for extracting the search words included in the search log stored in the search log storage means as free word candidates;
Free word candidate storage means for storing the free word candidates extracted by the free word candidate extraction means;
A free word recommendation request including information for identifying a user of the external terminal is received from an external terminal, and stored in the search log storage means from among the free word candidates stored in the free word candidate storage means Based on the information, a free word recommendation means for selecting a free word to be recommended to the external terminal and transmitting to the external terminal;
A content distribution apparatus comprising: The search log storage means further stores the search date information that is information specifying the date and time when the content selected by the user of the search terminal is selected by the user,
The free word candidate extraction means calculates a word popularity for each of the extracted search words based on the search date information,
The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the free word recommendation unit selects a free word to be recommended to the external terminal based on the prevalence of the word extracted by the free word candidate extraction unit. Upon receiving a content presentation request transmitted from the search terminal including information specifying the user of the search terminal, a list of contents stored in the content storage means is transmitted to the search terminal, and to the search terminal Content presenting means for transmitting to the search terminal the content selected by the user of the search terminal included in the list of transmitted content;
Browsing log storage means for storing a browsing log in which information for specifying content selected by the user of the search terminal and information for specifying the user of the search terminal are associated with each other;
With
The free word recommendation means includes information stored in the content storage means, the search log stored in the search log storage means, and the browsing log stored in the browsing log storage means. And calculating a degree of association between the user of the external terminal and each of the free word candidates, and based on the calculated degree of association, for a user identified based on information identifying the user of the external terminal The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a free word to be recommended is selected. A free word recommendation method for an external terminal by a content distribution device comprising content storage means for associating and storing content and information for specifying the content,
In the search means of the content distribution apparatus, a search request transmitted from the search terminal including information specifying a user of the search terminal and a search word is received, and the content stored in the content storage means The content related to the search word is extracted and the list is transmitted to the search terminal, and the content selected by the user of the search terminal included in the content list transmitted to the search terminal is selected from the search terminal. A search step to send to
In the search log storage means of the content distribution device, the information specifying the content selected by the user of the search terminal in the search step is associated with the search word and the information specifying the user of the search terminal A search log storage step for storing the searched search log;
In the free word candidate extraction means of the content distribution device, a free word candidate extraction step of extracting the search word included in the search log stored in the search log storage step as a free word candidate;
In the free word candidate storage means of the content distribution device, a free word candidate storage step for storing the free word candidate extracted in the free word candidate extraction step;
In the free word recommendation means of the content distribution device, a free word recommendation request including information specifying a user of the external terminal is received from the external terminal, and the free word candidate stored in the free word candidate storage means is received. Based on the information stored in the search log storage means, a free word recommendation step of selecting a free word to be recommended to the external terminal and transmitting it to the external terminal;
A free word recommendation method comprising:

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